Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

Gospel

John 19:25-34

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.
After this, aware that everything was now finished,
            in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
            Jesus said, “I thirst.”
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop
            and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
            “It is finished.”
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Now since it was preparation day,
            in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
            for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,
            the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken
            and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first
            and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
            they did not break his legs,
            but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
            and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

 

And it was now finished. With his death the church would grow from the water and blood that flowed from his side. It was a lance that pierced his side … while his crucixion pierced his mother’s side as Simeon has predicted.

 

In the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary we remember she was there when her baby boy was crucified. She heard the agony and saw his wounds as he hung there.  He had not yet risen and most had abandoned him. Even Peter denied him.

 

And so as the church sprang from his side. The one who sprang from her womb. We are reminded that she is our mother too. Jesus gave her to John and us to be our mother in heaven who always seeks our good when talking to her son, Jesus.

 

She is on our side just like our own mother wishes us well and will always take our side. She watches over us and is ready to petition God on our behalf.

 

She is the short cut to Jesus Christ. For she speaks to him as his mother and our mother. Pray to our mother Mary that she watch over us and asks Jesus to always protect us and help us on our journey to our family in heaven.