1 Tm 4:12-16; Jn 19:25-27
By Fr. Joy Prakash, OFM –
It is worthy of note that the Gospel of John does not name Jesus’ mother nor the beloved disciple, yet both are there on Calvary, and both are commended to each other’s care by the dying Jesus: “Women, behold your son; behold your mother.” This may be John’s way of saying that these two people are playing a symbolic role—emphasizing the family of discipleship. It is not blood but faith that makes one a disciple of Christ, and here Jesus confirms the intimacy of that union. Mary and the disciple may stand for all of us—for all who share in the eternal life brought by Jesus’ death on the cross. Discipleship begins at the foot of the cross, and the community of believers takes form there.
Lord, give us steadfast hearts that cannot be dragged down by false loves: Lord have mercy
Lord, give us courageous hearts that cannot be worn down by trouble: Christ have mercy
Lord, give us righteous hearts that cannot be sidetracked by unholy or unworthy goals: Lord have mercy
Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of the Triumph of the Cross. Today we celebrate our Lady of Sorrows. In our Franciscan tradition we return time and time again to the San Damiano cross – the Byzantine cross that draws its inspiration from John’s gospel. The Jesus on the cross is not in agony, but in glory, therefore the whole body is radiant and reigning because he is in full control of the situation. Around him are grouped together a community of persons: Mary and John the beloved disciple and on the right Mary of Magdela, Mary the Mother of James and the centurion.
We know from the other gospels that “Many women were also there, looking on from a distance.” All of the synoptics indicate that the women are standing at a distance, far off. In John, it is specifically mentioned that they are near the cross. Assembled under the arms of Jesus enthroned on the cross, we find a community nine persons altogether: Jesus’ mother, the Beloved Disciple, two Jewish women, some gentiles, a man his son and family. This is an inclusive community of Jews and Gentles, women and men, young and old. In the letter to the Hebrews we read: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female, for all of you are one in Christ.” That’s what Jesus had said, “When I am lifted up on the cross, I will draw all to myself.”
Jesus’ last act on the cross brings about a new relationship, Jesus’ natural mother is brought into the new family, “the community born from above,” represented by the beloved disciple. “By relating his mother (natural family) to the Beloved Disciple, Jesus has enlarged the discipleship in a significant way as sign that it will grow and contain many from diverse backgrounds.”
St. Bonaventure in his commentary on John’s Gospel says that the compassion of Jesus’ mother drew her along with Mary Cleophas and Mary of Magdala, close to Jesus. These women stood close by since they loved him more, especially his mother, who was suffering with him beyond anyone else. At times looking at the kind of violence that is going on in the world all that we can do is to stand beside the cross and let violence within us be transformed into compassion.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary are a popular devotion in the Church. There is a devotional prayer which consists of meditation on:
The Prophecy of Simeon over the Infant Jesus.(Luke 2:34)
The Flight into Egypt of the Holy Family. (Matthew 2:13)
The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days. (Luke 2:43)
The Meeting of Jesus and Mary along the Way of the Cross. (Luke 23:26)
The Crucifixion where Mary stands at the foot of the cross. (John 19:25)
The Descent from the Cross where Mary receives the dead body of Jesus in her arms. (Matthew 27:57)
The Burial of Jesus. (John 19:40)
“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 bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword has passed.”
(Stabat Mater)
The Hymn, Stabat Mater, which we sing during lenten time for the way of the cross seem to have been composed by the Biographer of St. Francis, Thomas of Celano. It is also said that it was the work another friar of the early days known Jacopone de Todi.