(Last of two parts)
“How terribly the Virgin Mary suffered to accompany her Son up to the end“
The third Word: “Jesus said to His mother: ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then He said to the disciple: ‘This is your mother.’ (Gospel of John 19:26-27).
From the Cross, Jesus provides for his mother, Mary, by entrusting her to the beloved disciple, John, effectively making her the Mother of the Church and all believers.
This act fulfills his filial duty, demonstrates love amidst agony, and establishes a new spiritual family based on grace rather than blood, welcoming all to receive her care.
By saying “Woman, this is your son,” Jesus designates Mary as the spiritual mother of all disciples, represented by John. Jesus establishes a new familial bond, where believers are brought together by the cross, finding comfort in Mary’s motherhood.
Even in intense pain, Jesus prioritizes his mother’s care, exemplifying self-sacrificial love. Mary, at the foot of the cross, shows unwavering faith and love, standing as a model for all believers.
Theologians say Christians are called to care for their families and to “take Mary into their home,” or into their lives, as John did.
Here, Jesus and Mary are together again. First, at the beginning of His ministry in Cana and, second, at the end of His public ministry at the foot of the Cross. What sorrow must fill Mary’s heart, to see her Son mocked, tortured, and now crucified.
Once again, a sword pierces Mary’s soul, the sword predicted by Simon at the Temple (Luke 2:35) .
There are four at the foot of the Cross: Mary his Mother, John, the disciple whom he loved, Mary of Cleopas, His mother’s sister, and Mary Magdalene.
St. Joseph had probably died by the time of the crucifixion, or else He would have been the one to take care of Mary.
Early Christian traditions and the second-century apocryphal Protoevangelium of James held that Joseph was a widower, and his children by His former wife were the “brothers and sisters of Jesus.”
Theologians say Mary knew that when she said “yes” to God and gave birth to his only son her journey would not be easy. They observe that she most certainly suffered a great deal as she watched Him be tortured, mocked and crucified.
Again, amid excruciating great physical pain, Jesus is thinking of others and not of Himself when He speaks the Third Word. He wants His mother to know that she is going to be all right, that she will be taken care of.
He tells her that John, the “disciple whom he loved,” is now her son. He then tells John that Mary is now His mother. Consider how desperately Jesus may have wanted to touch His mother, to have her comfort Him one final time.
Bringing John and Mary together was His way of saying goodbye to her, and “I love you.”
But Jesus did not only give His mother to John. He gave her to us as well.
How terribly the Virgin Mary suffered to accompany her Son up to the end.
According to scholars, at the foot of the cross, Mary says silently “Fiat, let it be.” All her life was Fiat: total trust in God’s will – Let it be. What an incredible gift: Jesus gives us His mother. Mary is our mother, who is “better than the best of mothers” (St John Vianney).
Mary’s silence contrasts with the noise of the crowd, symbolizing what theologians call her complete, unwavering trust in God, despite seeing her Son die.
Her heart is pierced, symbolizing the “sword of sorrow” predicted by Simeon, aligning her suffering with the salvation of souls.
Theologians add Mary’s presence at the foot of the cross, often depicted with the letter “M,” represents her profound, inseparable connection to the redemptive work of her Son.
Her silent “Fiat” at the cross is the ultimate, quiet declaration that her Son’s mission of salvation is paramount, confirming what theologians say is her complete surrender to the divine will despite overwhelming personal grief.
(The author, active in the Student Catholic Action and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in his college years, is a freelance writer who writes orations for necrological services as well as theses and dissertations for graduate students.)
