Third Word: ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the [beloved] disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’

In this Third Word from the Cross Jesus entrusts his mother into the care of the beloved disciple, and the beloved disciple into the care of his mother: S]tanding near 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 whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the [beloved] disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.’ [John 19.25-27]

 

When I was a student at University, I had a fridge magnet that said ‘Call your mother, she worries’. No matter how old we get, our parents hold a particular significance for us and power over us. The fridge magnet reminded me of this care that my mother had, despite the fact that I had left home, and in some sense her direct responsibility.

 

When Jesus places each in the care of the other, this is more than just an act of care for two individuals, it is an act significant for the whole Church. In the disciples the Church is present in embryo, and they will go onto become the first Bishops of the Church with St Peter at their head, a position his successors hold to this day. In entrusting the beloved disciple into the care of his mother the whole Church is also placed into her care. She becomes ‘Mater Ecclesia’, mother of the Church.

 

Just as our mother is present at our birth, so the blessed Virgin is present at the birth of the Church, being present on the day of Pentecost, and at her death and assumption into Heaven the disciples are again present, gathered miraculously from the four corners of he globe where they had been forming the Church. And just as our mothers continue to care for us, so Mary continues to care for us her children. She prays for us as her children. She prays for us to her son in whose presence she is eternally. And as a Church we are called to hold her in the highest honour and respect, just as he is asking his friend the beloved disciple to do when he takes her into his home.

 

For Reflection and Action

This week take time to thank God for your mother, perhaps give her a call if like me you aren’t very good at remembering to call your parents. (If your mother is no longer around, perhaps call a friend you know to be vulnerable or lonely.) Give thanks to God for the prayers of the blessed Virgin, and if you are in any need ask that she hold you in her own prayers.