In the Gospel reading today, I cannot help but ponder and be inspired by the Blessed Virgin. Mary went through challenging and painful periods of her motherhood with such composure and dignity. The sorrows that she felt during those times, she kept within her heart. I cannot imagine how she suffered in silence, and how amidst her grief while standing beside her son fixed on the cross, she surrendered everything to God. She recognized deep in her heart God’s hand in them. Mary trusted God and surrendered her whole self to Him.

We also see in the Gospel that Jesus established a profound friendship with the disciple whom He loved, John. Jesus knew Mary would need someone He trusted to continue to love and care for her as He did. With His very last breath, Christ gave John the greatest human comforter and His best disciple, His mother. Jesus told John that Mary is to be his mother, and we believe that, through this, He has given all of us Mary to be our own mother in faith. As our mother, Mary continually prays for us and inspires us as we struggle to grow closer to Christ. Moreover, she provides us the best example of living a life as God’s servant. Therefore, let us take some time today to reflect on how truly blessed we are to have Mary to help and guide us. Let us remember that we can continually ask for her intercession when we find ourselves struggling to follow Christ.

By: Sem. Lester John D. Cabais

Today’s Gospel

Jn 19:25-34

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
    and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
    and Mary of Magdala.
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.
After this, aware that everything was now finished,
    in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
    Jesus said, “I thirst.”
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop
    and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
    “It is finished.”
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. 

Now since it was preparation day,
    in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
    for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,
    the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken
    and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first
    and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
    they did not break his legs,
    but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
    and immediately Blood and water flowed out.