Welcome to Day 44 of our reflections on the gospel of John. Thanks so much for joining us!  You can contact us at our website, www.markandkatiemartinez.com.

A Reflection on John 19:17-27

“But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” (v 25)

Mary the mother of Jesus has always been here. She was present at Jesus’ coming into the world, the first to hear the definitive announcement. She gave of her own body, poured out her own blood for the Son of God to become man and dwell among us. She interceded to Him for His first public miracle, surely knowing that this would usher in the time of His Hour. And now she is here, at the cross.  His hour has come. Her hour has come.

She has long known that it would come. The words of Simeon echoing in her mind throughout His life are now playing loudly: “And a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Luke 2:35). For many of us, this impending sorrow would be too much. We would run from it, try to prevent it, or find some way to control it.

But Mary stays. She stays by the cross of her Son, and just as she interceded at Cana, she is interceding now. She allows her soul to be pierced as she looks upon her beloved. Through tear-filled eyes, she holds his gaze as He looks at her. “Woman, behold, your son,” He says to her. And she understands. So she turns to us, her children, now, and implores us: “Look at him, child. Look at what He has given for you. Look at what I have given for you. Behold, the Lamb of God, one without blemish, yet led to slaughter. He is taking away the sin of the world right now. I know it is hard for you to look, but you need to know the price. My Son has paid this price for you. But know this: if He has paid this price, then you are worth this price to Him. Yes, my child, you are worth it.”

Prayer: Mary, how can I stand before you and Jesus, knowing what you both have given up for me? I know that I am not worthy, but He tells me that I am worth this price, that He loves me this much. May I live my life aware of the precious price He has paid for it, and may I give it away as lovingly as He gave away His.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.