Thursday, September 15, 2016

John 19: 25-27

Standing by 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 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.

It is from this passage that the Catholic Church derives her teaching that Mary never had other children. If Mary had other children they would have been with her at the foot of the cross and they, by Jewish custom, would have been responsible for her well being going forward. Jesus would have never entrusted care for his mother over to John if she had other children and she would have never gone to live with John if other children existed.

At the foot of the cross Jesus entrusts the care of his mother over to his disciple John. Our Mass is a time machine, a conduit connecting heaven and earth, and each and every time we participate in Mass we are transported back to the foot of the cross to take part in the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though we cannot see it with our earthly eyes, we are there, standing with Mary and John when Jesus entrusts Mary to John.

Imagine Jesus looking at each and every one of us directly. “Behold your mother.”

Hail Mary, full of grace

Blessed are you among women

And blessed is the fruit of your womb

Jesus

Holy Mary, Mother of God

Pray for us sinners

Now and at the hour of our death.

Mary, Mother of the living God, intercede for us with Jesus, your son.