MARY, OUR MOTHER

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #581

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS ON THE CROSS

 

3. The Third Word

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: "Woman, behold thy son." After that, he saith to the disciple: "Behold thy mother." And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. (John 19:25-27)

MARY'S FORTITUDE: In spite of the furious crowd, raging with hatred and envy, Mary fearlessly avowed herself to be the Mother of the Crucified One, and was eager to share His shame. She did not sink down, fainting and helpless, but "stood by the Cross," and with a perfect resignation offered up her Son to the heavenly Father. It was as if she said to God: "Take Him, even if my heart break! Only let the world be saved, and Thine honor restored!" Under the Cross Mary won the title of Queen of Martyrs.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)