A Reflection
The words "a sword will pierce your own heart too," expressed by Simeon, in John's Gospel, speak of a mother that would know sorrow. But Mary also knew joy and love. She knew that even amid sorrow, God's word would be fulfilled.
Mary was human and likely had the same emotions, feelings, and thoughts of most mothers. I'm left thinking about all the times in Jesus' life that weren't documented in the Gospels. We certainly know of some key moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary. But what must it have been like for Mary to know that she and Jesus were likely the source of gossip and scandal. Word about Jesus, his preaching, and his miracles spread quickly. Though acting as the son of God, he was a trouble maker, and viewed as a heretic. Mary lived at the foot of the cross all her life, because everything that she lived for, everything that Jesus lived for, would lead to that moment. She likely prayed to God, just as Jesus did, that his end wouldn't come about as it did. But she stood by him and she stayed faithful to God.
In the Commentary of the Rule of Life, Luigi Gambero, SM says "In fact, on Calvary Mary brought to term her spiritual children after having conceived them in the mystery of the Incarnation. Indeed, she unites herself to the eternal Father in offering their common Son as a sacrifice for the salvation of sinners." How powerful to think of Mary standing at the foot of the cross not helpless and in sorrow, but standing at the foot of the cross, offering her son for the salvation of the world - an act that was predestined. Mary could have intervened at various points in Jesus' life and could have raised him differently, or told him to run and hide. But she didn't. And her work continued after his death. In his death, Jesus' work had been fulfilled. Yet, in Jesus giving Mary to John and vice versa, we see that her work, and John's work, and our work - as his mystical body - was to continue. What an immense amount of love, courage and faith in God. If only we could be so selfless.
Matt Dunn
MLNNA Office of Spirituality
