REFLECTIONS TODAY
Gospel • John 18:1—19:42
Jesus called his mother “woman” in Cana, at the first miracle that he performed, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come” (Jn 2:4).
The next time he called her woman was the time he hung on the cross: “Woman, behold, your son” (Jn 19:26). The first time, his hour had not yet come; the second time, it was his hour. Mary was there at the beginning and at the end!
Women are strong. I do not have any statistics at hand, but it is common knowledge that women seem to live longer than men.
This is not a mere reflection of physical health, but that physical health may be a reflection of the inner strength of the woman. Women also have a high tolerance of pain.
This quality of strength we attribute also to Mary. The passion and death of Jesus were terrible moments for Mary, and she had to be strong to bear all these. She was there, near her Son, sharing in his sufferings, keeping all these things in her heart. And yet she stood on, weeping, but undaunted because she had this God-given strength.
The pain of watching her Son die on the cross would be terribly intense for Mary. Thus, she is presented as Mater Dolorosa, the Grieving Mother. Popular devotion speaks of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, depicted by the swords that pierce her, recalling the prophecy of Simeon in Luke’s Gospel (2:34-35). She is Our Lady of Sorrows.
Another popular artistic presentation of Mary on Calvary is the Stabat Mater, presenting Mary as standing by the cross of Jesus.
This is a 13th-century hymn that portrays her suffering, often ascribed to the Franciscan friar Jacopone da Todi. It has been set to music by famous composers like Vivaldi, Rossini, and Verdi.
The opening two stanzas run: “At the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing; all His anguish bearing, now at length the sword has passed.”
What are the sufferings we have in life? Where do we get our strength to endure them?
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.