Monday, 29th May 2023, Mary, the Mother of the Church, Memorial

John 19:25-34

And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Reflection

• Jesus asked Mary and John to make room in their lives for new relationships of care; could it be that I sometimes receive the same invitation?

• Can I plumb the depths of Mary’s thoughts on Calvary: What is this flesh I purchased with my pains? This fallen star my milk sustains? This love that makes my heart’s blood stop?