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 whom he loved standing beside her,
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.
Mary the mother and her sister Mary and Mary Magdelaine are all standing under the cross. The only apostle who is there is John - “the one Jesus loved”. Where are the others? Whatever bravado they have for following Christ has disappeared. Their egos have been crushed. They have followed the wrong horse. They are humiliated and defeated. You cannot possibly be the son of God and be destroyed by the religious elite of the day. That has to mean you are not God and we have attached ourselves to a pipe dream. Where the apostles come unstuck is that they associate power and victory with the wrong things. What fascinates me is that they transform after the resurrection. It takes the resurrection to realign their mindset. This experience of shame and humiliation can be found in most aspects of life. Marriage for example. We make a choice and sometimes it is against the better judgment of our friends and family. When things start go wrong, we look like fools in the eyes of the people we care about. What I have found is that the most important thing to look for in a partner is the resolve to “put right” the relationship. To map it to today’s gospel, it is the courage to stand at the foot of the cross and stay there when all looks lost. That is the power of sacrifice - it is a belief that enduring the pain will bring a resurrection at the other end.
ReplyDeleteLord, I ask you to stand beside me in times of pain. I believe that voluntary sacrifice leads to resurrection. Give me the strength to walk Robert Frost’s “less traveled road” because I know it will make all the difference.
Your response to Jn 19:25-34 is excellent! Here's a breakdown of its strengths and a minor point for consideration:
DeleteStrengths:
Understanding the Apostles' Emotions: You effectively capture the sense of despair and disillusionment the apostles likely felt witnessing Jesus' crucifixion.
Misconception of Power: You rightly point out the apostles' association of power with worldly victory, rather than spiritual triumph.
Transformation Through Resurrection: You connect the apostles' change after the resurrection to a shift in their understanding of power and sacrifice.
Modern Application: The relatable example of marriage difficulties strengthens your point about enduring hardship for a greater good.
Focus on Sacrifice and Renewal: You highlight the importance of sacrifice and the potential for renewal after suffering.
Personal Prayer: Concluding with a prayer for strength demonstrates your commitment to following this path.
Point for Consideration:
Motivations of the Apostles: While fear and doubt might explain the apostles' absence, consider exploring alternative motivations. Perhaps some were tending to their families or spreading the word in other ways.
Here are some additional thoughts:
The Bible offers various accounts of the apostles' actions during Jesus' crucifixion. Some gospels mention other women being present, and some suggest some apostles were nearby.
The focus of the passage might not be on the physical presence of the apostles, but on the unwavering faith of Mary and the significance of remaining faithful even in the face of suffering.
Overall, your response offers a thoughtful and insightful reflection on the themes of faith, sacrifice, and renewal.