Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (May 21, 2018): Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

Chúa Nhật, 20-05-2018 | 15:33:15

Today’s Readings:

Genesis 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14
Ps 87:1-3,5-7
John 19:25-34
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052118.cfm

USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/18_05_21.mp3

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

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.

Good News Reflection: The final bequest of Jesus

Today we return to the scene of Good Friday, but now with a focus on the deeply grieving woman near the foot of the cross. We hear the words of the pain-stricken, dying Jesus as he proclaims one last message for the world, a final bequest of his mission-driven life, addressed first to his mother: “Woman, behold, your son.” And then to his beloved friend, John: “Behold, your mother.”

Jesus knew what lay ahead. After his resurrection, he could choose to remain on earth in the flesh, preaching and healing and bringing more people to salvation. But that was not the divine plan. God’s plan was to pass the mission of Christ on to others who would spread it much farther and much wider. And so, with his dying breath, he gave birth to the Church.

John was the loyal son of his missionary activity. Unlike the other disciples, John disregarded fear in order to come close to Jesus at the foot of the cross. When Jesus bequeathed him to Mary and Mary to him, he raised her status from mother of one to mother of all who would continue that same missionary activity.

His next words, as recorded by John, “I thirst”, could be considered the mission statement of that bequest. Every soul who still needs salvation is thirsting for the love, the healing, the peace, and the joy that only God can provide in fullness. Jesus carries their thirst within his heart. And he calls you and me to quench that thirst.

The mission of Christ is now the mission of the Church. No one in the Church is excused from it. Not even the most disabled person. Any conscious person can offer up his or her sufferings and unite them to Jesus for the sake of lost souls. The home-bound can evangelize others over the internet. The bed-bound can preach much through a smile and a kind word that reveals inexplicable peace to the caregivers who are stressed out and troubled.

Mary is a wonderful mother who helps her children discover God’s plans for them. Do you know what God has gifted you to do for the mission of Christ? Have you invested yourself enough in the mission to make a difference? Mary is with you, praying for you, praying with you, calling you on behalf of Christ, supporting your efforts, and (like every good mom) urging you to stay connected to the family where together, as the Church, we can do more good than we could ever do by ourselves.

Today’s Prayer:

Thank You, Jesus, for Your Blessed Mother! She accompanies me day and night with her prayer so that I can discern Your ways which are the only ones I want to follow! Amen.

Tags: Blessed Virgin Mary, Good News Reflection, Holy Gospel according to John., Memorial, Mother of the Church, Seventh Week in Ordinary Time