Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: John 19:25-27
May 29, 2023 | Monday
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw the Mother, and the disciple whom he loved, he said to the Mother, “Woman, this is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “There is your mother.” And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home.
Today’s Reflection:
Today’s reading reveals to us that there is no doubt that Jesus must have developed a deep friendship with the disciple He loved for many reasons. The most human emotion and tender reasons that may explain their connection would be these—that Jesus knew Mary would need someone she trusted to continue loving and caring for her as He did, and that this disciple fully understood Mary’s spiritual connection with her son. The gift to the disciple Jesus loved was a love encounter with the mother of God that no other human would ever experience. This relationship between the disciple and Mary should have us think about how you treat your mother, your significant other’s mother, or a friend’s mother as a new loving experience. May we be able to feel a deep connection to Jesus as we practice our devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Mother of the Church, whose members we have all become through Baptism./Vulnerasti, 2023
