“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.”
This is a very famous verse in the gospels, because this is the scriptural foundation behind the Catholic belief in honoring Mary as our mother. Jesus gave Mary to “the disciple there whom he loved” which was probably John. However, we too are the disciples whom Jesus loves. Mary became our mother, because Jesus gave her to us from the cross. This is why Catholics honor her above most other Protestant religions, because of this verse in scripture.
However, there are many other reasons Catholics honor Mary too, though, and today’s gospel is one of the most powerful reasons. Our Lady endured so much suffering because of Jesus. She paid the price for our salvation, in her own way, because of the deep heartbreak she endured watching her son die. The other choice for the gospel reading today is a prophecy that explained in advance, the suffering she would go through, when baby Jesus was presented to Simeon in the temple:
“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Mary no doubt did not understand this prophecy at the time, that a sword would pierce her heart. This is true with many of the sufferings we go through too. There may have been warning signs along the way, that the full implications of what was said, was not understood until much later. Many medical conditions are like this, too. The early signs of a serious illness are not clearly understood at the time of diagnosis either. And, the first labor pains a woman experiences when she is going to have a child, is not nearly as severe as what is to come when she actually gives birth to a newborn baby.
This is what Mary did for Jesus, but also what she did for all of mankind. We don’t like to think of Mary being in pain when baby Jesus was born in the stable, but all human women experience paid during childbirth. But, that pain is followed by such joy, the pain is forgotten afterwards. However, Mary’s pain at the foot of the cross was in part, because she would never see her son again in this life and she knew it. He was leaving her forever.
What would have been harder for Mary though, like any other mother, would have been to see her son suffer so much. It was a horrible death and she witnessed every single moment of it. Her agony must have been as great as the physical agony her son endured. Mothers naturally want to make everything better when their child is hurt, but Mary couldn’t make it better for Jesus. There was nothing she could do. She was helpless at the foot of the cross and could do nothing about it, but accept what was happening, that it was beyond her control and she simply must endure it.
How do we endure our own grief and suffering? Things happen that are out of our control too, sometimes, and there’s not a thing we can do about it. We cry, “why me?” But, Mary didn’t do this, at least that we know of. Even if she did, this is not what we remember her for. We remember her for her great love, and courage. Our salvation was bought at a price. Yes, Jesus paid the price for our sins, but so did Mary.
Love is bought at a price. Childbirth, leaving a former way of life when a person marries or becomes a priest or religious, spouses die sometimes and leave a huge wound in the heart of the spouse who is left behind. A young unmarried woman also may have the courage to give her newborn baby up for adoption too, so they can have a better life. Parents sacrifice a great deal to send their children to college, or to simply help them get on their feet when they first become adults.
Love has a price. That is something worth thinking about today. Genuine love has a price, and it is often painful. But, Mary shows us how to how to endure, with grace, the pain and suffering that love causes. Whether we accept this suffering willingly, or unwillingly, Mary shows us how to do it.
Daily Mass Readings:
Hebrews 5: 7-9 / Psalm 31 or 40 / Corinthians 11: 17-26, 33 / John 19: 25-27 or Luke 2: 33-35
