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Gospel Reading for May 20, 2024 – John 19: 25-34
INTERCESSION
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 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 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.
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Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. According to the ORDO, the title was bestowed on her because she gave birth to Christ, the Head of the Church, and became Mother of the redeemed before her Son gave up his spirit on the Cross.
It is the experience of those who were blessed to have very good and loving mothers, to want their friends to experience the same with their mother. There are even children who brag to other children how good their mother is, and there are sons, who, when they choose the girl they wish to marry, look for the same attributes in the girl. Surely, Jesus had a very good experience with Mary, as his mother. In the first place, God would not have chosen Mary to be Jesus’ mother, were she not the best of all mothers in the human race. Jesus wanted to share his mother to the early Church, hence, gave her to John, the beloved apostle. Although not much is written about Mary’s role in the early Church, it is written in Acts 1: 12-14, “Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” We can only presume that she supported them until her death.
Mary continues to support the Church through her INTERCESSION. Her countless virtues will always inspire those of us who follow Jesus.
Mary, our Mother, we ask you to pray for our Church, that she may always be the beacon of light that will lead all peoples to your Son, Jesus!
