Easter 2010 Meditations

The Third Word

²⁵ but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” ²⁷ Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.  (John 19:25-27)

Meditation on the Third Word

Of all the words that Jesus spoke that afternoon this is the one that stands juxtaposed against the others.  In the midst of all the suffering and pain that was being experienced and seen, none could have been more devastated than Mary, Jesus’ mother.  Mary, was the beneficiary of the single greatest revelation of God that God has ever given.  It was to Mary that the Messiah was sent.  And it was from Mary that the Messiah that was conceived in her womb and born.  And even now as Jesus is dying He thinks of her and entrusts her into the hands of his dear friend John.  Jesus’ exemplifies for us that our earthly responsibilities are not something to be dismissed as life draws to a close.  Have you thought of your family and friends in light of your mortality?  What would you have them remember?  Jesus loved Mary to the end.