“Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, ‘Here is your son.’’” (Jn 3:17)

“Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, ‘Here is your son.’ Then he said to his disciple, ‘She is your mother.’” (Jn 19:27)

Today’s Passage: Jn 19:25b-27

Meditation: This verse really reminds me of the centurion’s proclamation, “The army officer who was standing there in front of the cross saw how Jesus had died. ‘This man was really the Son of God! He said.’” (Mk 15:39) Yes! The cross and the crucifixion reveal fully God, who he is. It was not finally signs and wonders but his sufferings and crucifixion. On reflecting today’s verse, I do believe that it is not only the revelation point of God but of the disciples too. Still I remember that day on which Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers came to meet him. People were crowding him but disciples somehow managed to inform Jesus that his mother and brothers are waiting outside to meet him. Do you remember his answer? Jesus told them, “Whoever does what my father in heaven wants him to do, is my brother, my sister, and my mother.” (Mt 12:50) Jesus sees now at the foot of the cross both his mother and his disciple who “was” and “is” with him. The cross reveals, then, also the true disciples. They do not flee from him and the cross, but stay close to him. The book of revelation says, “Be faithful to me, even if it means death, and I will give you life as your prize of victory.” (Rev 2:10)  The Lord and master Jesus loved his own to the very end (Jn 13:1) and hence, the disciples are also to do the same. Here we find the picture of true discipleship at the foot of the cross; the disciples loving their master and Lord to the very end. So beautiful it is! On the next day of the feast of exaltation of the cross, where we heard about following the cross, loving the cross, and bearing the cross, we really experience and meet two disciples of the cross and the crucified one; Mary the mother of Jesus and the beloved disciple. Today as we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, let us take her to our homes, our lives, and our hearts as our mother like the beloved disciple. She is Jesus’ one of the best gifts to us from the cross, “She is your mother.” Jesus has entrusted us to the love and care of this mother, “He is your son.” If you are under the protection of Mary, you will never be in the coverage area of Satan the eternal liar.                        

 Prayer:    Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. Have mercy on us! Lord Jesus, we thank you in a special for your gift of mother Mary. We do believe that she is our mother also. Help us to live under her divine maternal protection and affection, and prove ourselves her true children. We remember also in a special way our physical mothers, who have suffered a lot for us, cared and loved us, give them your choicest blessings today. Amen!    

Greetings:       Take courage! God is with you! Have a nice and blissful Monday…