Tuesday of Holy Week

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Here is your son.” Then he said to his disciple, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26 – 27a, The Inclusive Bible)

Well, my first very irreverent thought about these words of Jesus was, “Jesus was such a good mama’s boy! I hope my boys turn out just like him!” But in all seriousness, I think it’s a beautiful thing that we see such love, care and concern for her in his last moments. 

Remember, in those days, for a woman to have any status, she had to be part of a man’s household. Who knows what happened to Joseph, or where Jesus’ brothers were, but they certainly weren’t at the foot of the cross. So, Jesus gave his mother a son (the disciple whom he loved) to care for her. With dreams shattered, and their merry group of followers floundering, perhaps he gave them to each other to share the rocky road of grief and uncertainty ahead.

In an unromantic practical way, this serves as a reminder to us to get our affairs in order, so, in case something happens to us our loved ones are cared for. But much more than that, it strikes me that Jesus was aware of how horrible all of it must have been for his mother, not only to be watching her precious child executed in a most barbaric way, but also facing the very real possibility of being out on the streets and shunned. Who would want anything to do with a single woman whose son was just executed for high treason? I’m grateful that Jesus wasn’t the kind of spiritual leader who felt he was above the worries and struggles of the world. He met her right where she was in her anguish and fear, and did his best to care for her.

We, too, are called to have compassion and understanding, even in the lowest, scariest, most miserable moments of life, and this is how the Divine Essence is for us. There is nothing we can experience where God doesn’t meet us right there and offer support, comfort and the next best step forward.

Love & Light!

Kaye