Mary draws near to Jesus on the Cross, Mary: Day 244

Mary draws near to Jesus on the Cross

Think of the good reasons, St. Alphonsus urges, why Mary could have chosen not to be present for her Son’s crucifixion. Yet she was there, enduring the out- rage, shame, and horror, because of her surpassing love for her Son.

We must now witness a new kind of martyrdom: a mother condemned to see an innocent Son, and one whom she loves with the whole affection of her soul, cruelly tormented and put to death before her own eyes: “Standing by the cross of Jesus [was] his mother” (Jn 19:25). St. John believed that in these words he had said enough of Mary’s martyrdom. Consider her at the foot of the Cross in the presence of her dying Son, and then see if there could be any sorrow like her sorrow. Consider the sword that transfixed the heart of Mary.

As soon as our agonized Redeemer had reached the Mount of Calvary, the executioners stripped him of his clothes. They pierced his hands and feet “not with sharp but with blunt nails,” as St. Bernard says, to torment him more. Then they fastened him on the Cross. Having crucified him, they erected the Cross and left him there to die.

The executioners left him. But not Mary. She drew nearer to the Cross, to be present at his death. “But what did it avail you, O Lady,” says St. Bonaventure, “to go to Calvary, and see this Son die? Shame might well have kept you away, for his disgrace was yours, because you were his mother. At the very least, the horror of witnessing such a crime as the crucifixion of God by his own creatures might well have prevented you from going there.”

But the same saint answers: “Your heart wasn’t thinking then of its own sor- rows, but of the sufferings and death of your dear Son.” So of course you would be there yourself, Mary, at least to have compassion on him. “True mother,” says the abbot St. William, “most loving mother, whom not even the fear of death could separate from your beloved Son!” —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Are there times when I desperately want to avoid a situation because it appalls me or grieves me so deeply that I can hardly bear to be present—yet I refuse to run away, because of my love for someone involved? In such a situation, do I call on Mary for wisdom, courage, and strength?

CLOSING PRAYER
Blessed Mother, no doubt there are times when my sin and weakness appall and grieve you, yet you remain with me. In your great love, help me to be purified and strengthened.

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