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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The Seven Last Words: Behold Thy Son

Mulier ecce filius tuus, ecce mater tua

Γύναι, ἴδε ὁ υἱός σου, Ἴδε ἡ μήτηρ σου

Woman, behold thy son! Behold thy mother!

St John xix.26-27


Even amid His pain and suffering, even though He is scared, forsaken and so utterly alone, still He thinks of others' welfare. He sees His poor mother without husband or son to care for her now; a woman whose "yes" has threatened her reputation, caused her no end of worry, confusion, and upheaval and finally fulfilled that prophecy of the sword in her soul even as the lance in His side. Even now He cannot ignore that "yes". He turns and sees another "yes" in his disciple who has given up so much for Him, home, job and reputation, who is now without a guide, a leader, without hope - or so it seems.

Together for now as mutual support- a new family woven in grief.

Tomorrow, the Church- a new family woven in joy.

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