MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH.
DAILY GOSPEL COMMENTARY. MONDAY AFTER PENTECOST.
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 19:25-34
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, 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.
GOSPEL COMMENTARY
Woman, behold your son. By accepting John as her own son Mary shows her unparalleled love as Mother.
- On this note Pope John Paul II prays: And through that man He entrusted every person to you. At the moment of the Annunciation you consecrated the whole plan of your life in those simple words: ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your Word (Luke 1:38)’. You embrace and draw close to everyone. You seek everyone out with motherly care … In a wonderful way you are always found in the mystery of Christ, your only Son. You are always present whenever His brothers and sisters are present, wherever the Church is present (John Paul II, Address, 27 January 1979). Your hands are laden with graces for us, and you are ever ready to shower them down on your children.
St John accepts Mary as his Mother. Until she is taken up into heaven, body and soul, he watches over her with great tenderness: From that very hour the disciple received her into his home.
- Spiritual writers have seen in these words of the Gospel a direct invitation to all Christians to bring Mary into their lives.
- Mary certainly wants us to invoke her and to approach her confidently. She wants us to appeal to her as our Mother, asking her ‘Show us you are our Mother (J. Escrivá, Christ is passing by, 140).’ The Blessed Virgin has never failed to hear us.
May we never forget that the presence of the Blessed Virgin in the Church is always a motherly presence (cf John Paul II, Encyclical, Redemptoris Mater, 25 March 1987,24).
- She tends to make the way easier. She prevents our straying from the right path in great and small matters alike as our shortsightedness sometimes inclines us to do. Where would we be without her motherly vigilance? Let us make an effort to petition her frequently as faithful daughters and sons.
- Our Lady is always vigilant where her children are concerned. The Catalan poet continues his poem saying: Why, Most Holy Virgin, do you look at us with eyes so wide open? Create in our soul a holy fear. May the miracles of the past be repeated today, and may you free us from every sin and from vile cowardice.
Prayer
O God, Father of mercies,
whose Only Begotten Son, as he hung upon the Cross,
chose the Blessed Virgin Mary, his Mother,
to be our Mother also,
grant, we pray, that with her loving help
your Church may be more fruitful day by day
and, exulting in the holiness of her children,
may draw to her embrace all the families of the peoples.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
VIDEO REFLECTION
TOPIC: HOW DO YOU TREAT OUR MOTHER?
Today is the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. It was included in the annual liturgical calendar by Pope Francis in 2018. Inscribed on a new mosaic in St. Peter’s Square in Rome are the words “Totus Tuus,” or “Totally Yours,” the motto used by St. John Paul II during his pontificate. It comes on the day after the feast of the Pentecost where our Mother was present along with the disciples at Pentecost as the Holy Spirit descended upon them.
Our Mother was in the midst of the disciples praying during the birth of the Church. She was also at the foot of the cross, along with the beloved disciple and some women.
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