Gospel
John 19:25-27
25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
Our love and sense of responsibility towards our family is of utmost importance. Even when we are going through our own trials, we should take time to ensure our family's future well-being. What will matter when we face death is family, loved ones, friends, and others. There is no greater gift we can give our parents than a relationship with Jesus. Our spiritual family in Christ can be as significant as our biological family. Like Jesus, let us always nurture and value our relationships.
Background:
John 19:25-27 is a part of the Book of John in the New Testament of the Bible. The Book of John is traditionally believed to have been written by John the Apostle.
The specific verses you mentioned are from the Crucifixion scene. In these verses, Jesus, while hanging on the cross, entrusts the care of His mother, Mary, to the disciple whom He loved, traditionally understood to be John.
In John 19:25-27, Jesus says to His mother, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, "Here is your mother". From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Despite His excruciating physical agony, Jesus was concerned about the welfare of His mother and the pain she was experiencing. With His thoughts on Mary’s future security and protection, Jesus entrusted her into the care of John, His beloved disciple.
Most scholars believe Joseph, Mary’s husband, was already dead by this time. Traditionally, the oldest son in a Jewish family was duty-bound to provide for his mother’s care if she became a widow1. By entrusting Mary to John’s care, Jesus was fulfilling His family responsibility as a devoted son.
These verses highlight the themes of love, responsibility, and the formation of a new spiritual family. They also underscore the importance of caring for one’s family and loved ones, even in the midst of great suffering.
Learning Lessons:
John 19:25-27 offers several important lessons:
Love and Responsibility: Despite His own suffering, Jesus took the time to ensure His mother’s future well-being. This teaches us about the depth of Jesus’ love and His sense of responsibility towards His family.
Spiritual Family: By entrusting Mary to John, Jesus was creating a new spiritual family. This underscores the idea that our spiritual family in Christ can be as significant as our biological family.
Compassion in Suffering: Even in His moment of extreme suffering, Jesus showed compassion for His mother. This teaches us the importance of caring for others, even when we are going through our own trials.
The Role of Women: The role of Mary in this passage highlights the significant contributions women can make. It challenges traditional gender roles and emphasizes the importance of women in the narrative of Christ.
Value of Relationships: What will matter when you face death is family, loved ones, friends, and others. This teaches us about the importance of nurturing and valuing our relationships.
The Greatest Gift: There is no greater gift you can give your parents than a relationship with Jesus. This underscores the importance of faith and spiritual growth in our lives.\
These lessons remind us of the importance of love, responsibility, compassion, and the value of both our biological and spiritual families13. They also highlight the significant role women can play in enacting God’s plan.
In the heart of our lives, a truth does reside,
Love for our family, a force we can't hide.
Through trials and tribulations, through joy and through strife,
We ensure their well-being, such is the essence of life.
When death casts its shadow, and our time draws near,
It's family, friends, loved ones, whose memories we hold dear.
The greatest gift to our parents, a treasure from above,
Is a relationship with Jesus, a testament of His love.
Our spiritual family in Christ, a bond that won't sever,
Can be as significant, as our biological ties, ever.
Like Jesus, let's nurture, let's value these relations,
For they are our strength, our joy, across all generations.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We come before You today with hearts full of gratitude. We acknowledge that our love and sense of responsibility towards our family is of utmost importance. Even when we are going through our own trials, help us to take time to ensure our family's future well-being.
As we face the inevitability of death, remind us that what truly matters is our family, loved ones, friends, and others who have touched our lives. Help us to understand that the greatest gift we can give our parents is a relationship with You, Lord Jesus.
We recognize that our spiritual family in Christ can be as significant as our biological family. Like You, Lord Jesus, let us always nurture and value our relationships.
Guide us, Lord, in Your wisdom and truth. Help us to stand firm in our faith, to resist temptation, and to live in a way that honors You.
In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
III: The Book of Glory
THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS
John 19:17-30
Gospel Acclamation
Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose he sun of justice, Christ the Lord.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
Published:
May 20, 2024, 8:04 AM
