15-Sep-15

Gospel JN 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.
Reflection:
In today's gospel, we see the epitome of love. Even as he was dying on the cross, Jesus expressed concern for the welfare of his mother, assuring her that she would be cared for in the home of his friend and disciple.
Then, with his last breath, he prayed for his executioners, saying; “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Jesus spent his entire life teaching that love and concern for others is the path that leads to heaven.
Like Jesus, we are made in the image of God's love.
And, the essence of God's love is giving of ourselves for the sake of others.
There are countless stories of inspiring, heroic deeds of self sacrifice.
However, most of us are never called to risk our life for the sake of another person.
Nevertheless, we too, like Jesus, can be examples of God's love through our daily acts of kindness and self sacrifice.
I think of Santos, a nine year old boy we gave a bike to several years ago. His excitement at seeing his first bicycle being unloaded from the truck was contagious; everyone present was beaming.
Then, his younger brother asked in Spanish if we had a bike for him. Immediately everyone became quiet.
Santos smiled broadly and happily announced, "It's OK! I'll give him my bike."

"Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of one you love, is by far, the truest type of love." Henry David Thoreau