"Here is your son ... Here is your mother"

Meditations and prayers on the last words of Christ
This is Holy Tuesday – Our third step into Holy Week

You are now invited, each day of this week, to a time of personal reflection and prayer.

“DEAR WOMAN, HERE IS YOUR SON ... HERE IS YOUR MOTHER.”

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:25-27)

The labored words came from Jesus’ lips. He looked into the eyes of his mother and said, “Dear woman, here is your son.” He looked into the disciple’s eyes and said, “Here is your mother.” It was a moment of transition for all three. An assignment from the cross was issued. Jesus was asking this disciple to be what we are all called to be … his hands … his feet … filled with his love. Jesus was asking this disciple to be his substitute on earth. What a privilege in this moment of sorrow. What a calling for us as well. We are asked to be reflective of the One who took his place on the cross for us. We are to be a substitute for the Substitute. It was a privilege for this disciple. It should also be a privilege for us. Jesus methodically took care of all that was important at that moment before accomplishing that which would affect our eternity. Having done all of this, he was able to focus only on what was to be accomplished … a Holy Substitution for the likes of us.

Reflection: What must change in my life so that I too might become the hands, feet, and love of Jesus in this world?

Prayer: Most Holy Substitute … I am looking into your heart and hearing the very same words that were said that day, aren’t I? “Here is your mother and your brother and your sister. Here are the homeless and hungry and the down-trodden.” I pray that I might have a heart that will love others as you have loved me and that I will say YES to the discipleship of being your hands, your feet and your heart in our world. Amen.

anna