Monday May 29, 2023

John 19:25-34

Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary the Mother of the Church. I am hoping that with the new music minister we have, we will do some Marian Hymns. I remember in the olden days we crowned the statue of Mary in May and we recited the rosary in October. The theme of Mary has a way of transporting me to my days as a child. It really feels like home.

I remember standing still several years ago as I saw for the first time The Pieta. The body of Jesus laying lifeless as his mother holds him. I was a seminarian then and I just wondered what that moment would have been. What her words would be. Mama would simply cry and say over and over again “my son, my son…”

We do not get this from the scriptures as much as we get it from extra biblical sources. But Jesus family was very involved in his ministry. His brother James was bishop of Jerusalem, his Uncle Cleopas and his wife were the two disciples traveling towards Emmaus, could his brother John be the beloved disciple?

Anyway at the cross Jesus entrusts his mother to the beloved disciple who took her into his home. He cared for her as she cared for him. Today I invite you to ask the blessed Mother to pray for the growth and sustainability of our church. We lift up all those who need an extra prayer and ask Mary Mother of the church to intercede for them.

Love you all.