The third Word: "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (John 19, 26 -27)
By: Nancy Escalante
It is common that when we are going through a great suffering, we try, most of the times, to avoid that the people who love us the most, see us in pain to prevent them, in turn, from suffering. Jesus let His Mother and John, His beloved disciple, to be present during His passion. Why did Jesus let this happen?
We can find the answer in the following paragraph… God loved humanity so much that He gave it His only child for its Redemption, and the Son of God loved so much His Father that He poured out His own Blood in his honor, and not enough with His passion sufferings, He underwent the agony of compassion, so that our sins were totally redeemed and we had eternal life. There it is Christ’s great love that He left us Mary, His own Mother, who is not only testimony but she sows faith, hope and love in our hearts. On the other hand, John represents each of us as His beloved disciples and as members of His Church, whereas Mary is not only our mother but our companion in the way of the Cross, just as she did with Her beloved Son, she suffers for us, comforts us and give us Her great love.
This passage shows not only Mary’s submission, faith, generosity and devotion but it is also a symbol of sanctity, purity and fidelity towards God’s will.
How wonderful gift Jesus Christ has given us! Leaving us HIS MOTHER, VIRGIN MARY! When He said:”Son, behold your mother” (John 19, 26 – 27).
A clear example of Mary’s love is when She remains standing still by the Cross of His beloved Son, deeply grieving for Him, but always accepting God’s will. How much would Virgin Mary have suffered then? This shows Her faithfulness and submission to God.
It is well known that love is measured by suffering, and there is a proof of how much The Virgin loved Her Son, but She knew that suffering was the price He had to pay so that our sins were forgiven.
Mary carried a most heavy Cross and a sword pierced Her soul, but she stood at the foot of the Cross of Her beloved Son and accepted God’s will in order to obtain humanity salvation. There is the greatness of heart of Virgin Mary who loves us all as Her own children and for that reason she suffers so much when one of Her beloved children suffers or deviates his/ her way because it is for us that Jesus suffered so much, for our redemption. It is through Virgin Mary that we can reach the grace of His Kingdom.
There is no doubt that we have the protection, intercession and company of our Mother, “behold your son” and to us in relation with His Mother, “behold your Mother”. Think how secure we are under Christ’s Mother protection and intercession, who is our Mother.
This is how Blessed Virgin Mary is praised “The immaculate and pure Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of everything and hope of the desperate”. And again: “You are shelter for those undergoing storms, comfort of the world, liberator of those in prison; you are mother of the orphans, redeemer of the captive, joy of the ill and star for everybody’s safety”. And again: “Watch over me and protect me under your arm, mercy me for I have sinned. I trust no one but You, Oh sincere Virgin. Peace, joy and safety of the world!” (St. Ephraim the Syrian).
