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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. John 19:25–27
If you spent time this Lent pondering the beautiful image of Jesus’
mother standing by the foot of the Cross, then you have some
insight into her motherly love and experience on Good Friday. She
was faithful to the end. She would have been no other place than at
the foot of the Cross, gazing upon the sacrificial death of her own
divine Son for the salvation of the world.
From all the perspectives that we can use to gaze upon the Cross,
the perspective of Jesus’ own mother is the best. The soldiers
stood there mocking our Lord, perhaps some confused and perhaps
some even feeling pity for Jesus. The scribes and Pharisees looked
on with contempt and self righteousness, doubling down on their
hatred and jealousy. Most of the Apostles had fled, one of them
betraying Jesus and another denying that he even knew our Lord. But
Jesus’ own mother, accompanied by some other holy women and the
beloved disciple, John, stood there with love, offering consolation
to the Heart of Jesus.
The love shared between mother and Son at the foot of the Cross was
twofold in the heart of Mary. Her love for her Son expressed her
unwavering fidelity to Him. It dispelled all fear. It was
singularly focused. It was all-consuming. As she shared this love
for her Son, she truly consoled Him. This is a significant fact to
ponder. Since Jesus was the Son of God, He didn’t need the human
consolation of His mother’s love at that moment. But by becoming
human, Jesus chose to accept her love. In that act of acceptance,
He allowed her human love to console His human heart. This
consoling and steadfast love expressed the perfection of human
love.
The second form of love shared between mother and Son at the foot
of the Cross was the love given by Jesus to His mother. At its
core, this love was the gift of salvation. For her, the grace of
His Cross transcended time to the moment of her conception, freeing
her from Original Sin. Jesus’ love on the Cross transformed her,
retroactively, into the Immaculate Conception and enabled her to
know Jesus not only as her Son but also as her Savior. Jesus’ love
in that moment on the Cross is also expressed in His unwavering
commitment to care for her in her human state. He gave her to John
to care for her as his own mother and, in so doing, He gave her to
all of us who stand at the foot of the Cross with her as our own
spiritual mother.
If you want to understand the love of God, look no further than
this immaculate and perfect love shared between mother and Son at
the foot of the Cross. Today, especially, you are invited to stand
with the Apostle John and gaze upon this shared love of mother and
Son. John is there as an invitation to you to stand with them and
to share in this holy exchange of love.
As you witness this love, think about your own life and what it
would take for you to participate in such love. Consider the
courage and strength you need. The ability to forgive all who
harmed you. Freedom from all bitterness. Unwavering commitment.
Perfect affection. These, and many other qualities that were
present in the hearts of mother and Son at the Cross are all
qualities that God wants to bestow upon you. He wants you to bring
them into every relationship in your life. He wants the perfection
of this love to come upon you and for you to express this
love always.
Reflect, today, on this Good Friday, upon this most holy scene of
the love of this mother and this Son. As you do, try to examine
your own life. As you look at this mother and Son’s many virtues,
allow that gaze to reveal to you the ways you need to grow in
virtue. The Mother of God is now your mother, and the Son of God is
now your Savior. Speak to them, listen to them, love them and allow
the love that flows from their hearts to penetrate your own so that
you can receive their love and share it with others.
My dying Lord, You freely embraced human death for the salvation
of the World. It was the greatest act of love ever known. As You
hung upon the Cross in agony, Your own dear mother, the Immaculate
Conception, stood by You, receiving Your love in its fullness and
offering her love to console Your suffering soul. Please draw me
into that love and help me to not only receive it but also to offer
it to all in need. Jesus, I trust in You.
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