Fr Martin Kallunkal

READING

“Now standing beside Jesus’ cross were his mother, his
mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.So, when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, look, here is your son!” He then said to his disciple, “Look, here is your mother!” From that very time the disciple took her into his own home” (Jn. 19:25-27).

REFLECTION

A commonplace interpretation of the passage we have just read is as follows: Jesus commits his mother to his beloved disciple, which shows Jesus’ tender consideration for His mother. Perhaps, this is the most superficial layer of meaning of this event. Something more significant than this is happening here. In order to understand the deeper meaning, we need to contemplate on the whole event at Calvary as narrated in the gospel of John, which is widely known as a gospel of new creation. First, God’s original plan for his creation was thwarted by the sin of the Adam and Eve. Then come Jesus as the second Man and Mary as the second Woman. Note that Mary is present both at the beginning of and at the end of Jesus’ public ministry – at Cana and Calvary -, and at both occasions Jesus addresses her as “woman.” Second, in the Book of Genesis, Eve leads Adam to sin; but in the Gospel, Mary takes Jesus to the temple of God. Third, the cross is the new tree of temptation. In fact, many had advised Jesus to escape from the cross; and, for a moment at Gethsemane, Jesus Himself wished if the cross passed from Him. Mary who stands in front of the cross of Christ is, in fact, the second woman who stands in front of the new tree of temptation. Fourth, through their obedience, Jesus and Mary reverse the fall. Fifth, if the first woman was made from the first man, the second Adam, Jesus, is born from the second woman, Mary. Reversing the order, God does a radically new thing in the history of human salvation. Now, following the new order established in the relationship between Mary and Jesus, disciple of Jesus is born from Mary at the foot of the cross. Two things follow from this: First, every disciple of Christ is to be born from Mary. This is possible thanks to Mary’s spiritual maternity. Disciples of Christ are born not physically, but from the womb of Mary’s heart; and thus, Mary becomes their mother in the order of grace. Second, each disciple has to possibilize this by making room for Mary in one’s life. As we have read, “from that very time the disciple took her into his own home.” Thus, becoming a child of Mary involves an interactive movement: Mary receives one as her child when one receives her as one’s mother. The beloved disciple at the foot of the cross is the representative of all whom Jesus loved and died for. After having lead His disciple to a spiritual rebirth from Mary, Jesus announces that everything is completed (Jn 19:28).

PRAYER

Thank you, Father, for giving me an insight into the new thing You are doing with Mother Mary in our salvation. Dear Mother, I am heartily sorry for being so late in coming to welcome you into my life. Today I resolve to receive you into my heart. Thank you, Jesus, my saviour, for consecrating this poor disciple of yours to the Most Holy Mother of God. I realize that this is what I was lacking in my efforts to become a good disciple of Christ. O’ Mother, already at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, you had gently asked us all to do whatever Jesus says. And, indeed, I have been quite serious about the inner meaning of Jesus’ parables and discourses. Yet I wonder how and why I ignored the very last thing Jesus told His disciple: “Look, here is your mother!” O’ Mother Mary, accept me as your son, come to my little heart and make home in my humble life. I have lost Jesus due to my sins, and I haven’t yet received the Holy Spirit. O’ dear Mother, lead me to Jesus and take me to the upper room to receive the Holy Spirit.

CONTEMPLATION

As the Fathers of the Church tell us, Mary suffered no labour pain when she gave birth to Jesus physically. This was so because she was immaculate. And, as we learn from the book of Genesis, labour pain is part of the punishment for original sin. But Mary does suffer severely each time she spiritually gives birth to Jesus’s disciples from the womb of her heart by letting it to be pierced by the sword of the mysterious power of our sin. Feel the pain and joy spiritual rebirth.

ACTION

Prepare your home and your heart for the Mother who comes to stay with you. Make the recitation of the Rosary a conversation with the loving Mother.