From the Gospel according to John 19:25-34
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, 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 vinegar on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the vinegar, 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.
Always with Mary
Today we celebrate the feast of “Mary, Mother of the Church,” which was instituted by Pope Francis in 2018 on the Monday after Pentecost. If the Church is born at Pentecost, it is deeply meaningful that on the very next day, Monday, as the Church begins her journey in the midst of the world, the person and mission of the Virgin Mary within her are especially highlighted.
Mary, at the foot of the cross, not only receives a new motherhood over the Church, but also teaches us the path of married love: to remain faithful even in suffering, to support one another when everything seems dark, and to make the home a place where Christ continues to live.
In every Christian marriage, Mary reminds us that to love is to stay, to care, and to give oneself completely until the end.
Applied to marriage life:
Paul: This Gospel always moves me… Mary stayed beside Jesus until the very end, even in the greatest suffering.
Maria: Yes, and it makes me think a lot about our marriage. Because truly loving also means staying by each other’s side in difficult moments, not only when everything is going well.
Paul: Exactly. Jesus says to the disciple, “Behold your mother,” and from that moment on he takes her into his home. It is as if Mary also enters into every Christian family.
Maria: Of course! and how important that is today… to let Mary care for our marriage, and to always have her as an example in the way we speak, forgive one another, and support each other.
Paul: What strikes me is Mary’s silence. She does not protest, she does not run away, she simply stays. I think this is something I often lack: not running away and also emptying my heart more, trying to be more fully present.
Maria: Yes, I lack that too. Now I see that the Virgin Mary is asking me to be there, to accompany, to support… even when I do not understand you.
Paul: Hopefully in our marriage we may also know how to love in that way: with fidelity, self-giving, and always placing Jesus at the center.
Mother,
you are Mother of the Church and our Mother. We ask you to teach us to remain united just as you remained beside the cross of Jesus. Help us to live our marriage with fidelity, tenderness, and self-giving, knowing how to accompany one another in joys and in difficulties.
