John 19:25-34

Genesis 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14

Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7

John 19:25-34

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother

            and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,

            and Mary of Magdala.

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.

After this, aware that everything was now finished,

            in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,

            Jesus said, “I thirst.”

There was a vessel filled with common wine.

So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop

            and put it up to his mouth.

When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,

            “It is finished.”

And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Now since it was preparation day,

            in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,

            for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,

            the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken

            and they be taken down.

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first

            and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,

            they did not break his legs,

            but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,

            and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, from the beginning, you have prepared Mary, the Mother of your Son, to be my mother. She cares for me and asks you, through her Son, to attend to my prayer and give me the good things I need. With you as my Father and with Mary as my Mother, I have nothing to fear.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Mother of the Church at Calvary: The Gospel of John presents an important dimension of Mary’s motherhood – her maternal suffering. She is at the foot of the Cross with John the Apostle. She is accompanying her Son as he suffers on the Cross and unites her maternal suffering to his. At a certain moment, Jesus looks at her and calls her “woman.” This title, given by the New Adam, indicates her role as the New Eve. Just as Eve is the mother of all human beings in the first creation, Mary will be the mother of all those who have been re-created through her Son and in the Spirit. Jesus then directs her to gaze upon John and says, “Behold, your son.” John, as the beloved disciple, represents all Christians who are loved by Jesus and strive to return his love. As the mother of the Church, Mary, at Calvary, suffers with her children and cares for them with maternal and sacrificial love. 

2. Mother of the Church after the Ascension: If we take Acts 1:12-14 as our First Reading, we contemplate another dimension of Mary’s maternal care for the Church – her maternal prayer. She is there, in the upper room, among the 11 apostles of Jesus, united with them and praying with them. We can only imagine her role in the 10 days between the Ascension and Pentecost. John took to heart the words of Jesus on the Cross and cared for her as he would his own mother. Peter was likely encouraged by Mary to choose a disciple to take up the office vacated by Judas Iscariot. She gave them an example of prayer, service, and love during those ten days in Jerusalem. Just as she was attentive to the needs of the newlywed couple in Cana, she was attentive to the needs of the early Church, especially the 120 gathered in the upper room before the Feast of Pentecost.

3. Queen-mother of the Church in Heaven: Still another dimension of Mary’s motherhood is present in her role as Queen-mother – her maternal intercession. Mary not only suffered as she gave birth to the Church at the foot of the Cross, Mary not only prayed with her children as they awaited the gift of the Spirit. Mary continues to intercede for her children at the right hand of her Son in heaven. This is what we contemplate when we pray the fifth glorious mystery. We have a mother in heaven, body and soul, crowned with glory, who listens to the prayers of each one of her children and presents them to her Son, our royal Messiah, who presents them to the Father. Our mother is always attentive to the needs of her children.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you love me so much that you gave me your Mother to be my mother. She knew your sufferings and knows mine, and is right now praying for me in heaven. Attend to the voice of your Mother and present her powerful prayers before the Father.

Living the Word of God: Can I find time to pray the rosary today and contemplate the face of Jesus with Mary? Can I choose 5 people to pray for and remember each one of them as I pray one of the decades?