Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 19, 25-27
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
Mary is always near her children
1) Next to the cross. Mary appears very few times in the gospel, but when she does appear, she shines. She appears at crucial moments, moments of life-and-death decisions. In those decisive moments in life, she comes to your side even if you feel crucified. Try to see Mary as your mother. She is not ashamed of you and she loves you even when others may complain about you or leave you aside. Mary is always by your side even when others may laugh at you, she will never make fun of your failures or your falls. She suffers with you in silence. Today, remember that there’s always someone by your side who loves you. I know that in hard times you cannot see clearly, you do not see a way out, and you feel crucified, but Mary is with you.
2) John. You and I are like John. We are the church. Today, Mary is with the crucified, beaten church that is ashamed of itself. Mary accompanies us in the moments of pain when many are pointing out scandals in the church, and many feel deception and disappointment. Today, Mary accompanies us in these difficult moments where the same members of the church have sinned and crucified our own church. Nevertheless, Mary is with us. She reminds us of the resurrection, of the moment where we will rise again with the nail marks of the cross on our hands and feet. These marks remind us that the Lord claims victory over death. Our church will resurrect, and Mary is and will be with us!
3) Receive her in your home. Today, you and I can receive Mary into our lives and ask her to help us live our faith, to never lose heart or grow weak. Ask her to help you continue in your daily struggle and to overcome the difficulties that life brings. Do you know why? Mary watched her son die mercilessly and watching your child die has no comparison to any other suffering in the world. Nevertheless, she was there. Let us ask Mary for peace and faith.
God bless you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Remember that Heaven is our goal.
