Thought of the Day April 15, 2019 Mary at the cross
Mary at the cross.
Mary,
the mother of Jesus had followed Jesus in his journey. Was it possible she was
there when Pilate condemned him? Tradition tells us that she had an encounter
with him on the Via Dolorosa. He had just fallen under the weight of the cross.
Did she reached out to him at that moment? Was her gaze and presence comforting
to him?
Now,
she, John and a few other women are the only ones standing watch with him as he
suffers the cruel death of a criminal, even though he was innocent and
sinless. Mary, the mother, would not let
the terror of crucifixion, the taunts of the soldiers keep her away from the
cross of her dying son.
While
there at the foot of the cross, did Mary recall the words of Simeon, the
prophet, who in the Temple at the time of the presentation said to her: “Behold, this
child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign
that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will
pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Was
this the moment of that in which that prophecy was fulfilled?
Did Mary also reflected on the various
moments in her life as his mother: the time she and Joseph had to flee to Egypt
to protect the infant Jesus from the resentment of Herod who sought to kill
him? Did she remember the time she and Joseph found out that Jesus, when he was
about twelve, stayed behind unknowing to them in Jerusalem. Did she recall her
relief when they found him in the Temple? Did she recall his first miracle at
the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee?
Now, his life is coming to an end. He was fulfilling the Father’s plan
to save the world by giving his life for our lives.
Reflect with Mary as she gazes at Jesus on the cross.
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