15-Sep-16

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:
Gentle Mary watching her beloved son tortured and crucified; His only crime being His desire that love prevail in the world.
Jesus nailed to a cross with His life slowly ebbing away; His last concern is the welfare of His mother after He is gone.
With only one disciple remaining, Jesus entrusts the care of His mother to John, His faithful friend.
When as an infant Jesus' eyes first focused, Mary's face was the first thing He saw. As His eyes closed in death, Mary's face was the last thing to fade from His sight.
I am reminded of standing at the unmarked grave of a friend many years ago. Although Ed had two sons, neither had spoken to him in years. Ed died without any family by his side. Like Jesus, all but a few had abandoned him.
When the brief graveside service ended, a mutual friend turned to me and said, "Jim, if this was all there was, it would be a tragedy. Thank God, we know that it doesn't end here."
To Jesus, His death was not a tragedy. He accepted death in faith and the sure knowledge that "it didn't end" there.
For Jesus and my friend Ed, and for you and me, death may be a sorrow but we live in the confident hope that it will surely be followed by the great joy of the resurrection.
"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” - - John 6:40