But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene.
We see the suffering of the cross, the suffering of sin, and we look away. We prefer to block out suffering and ignore it, especially when it is suffering for which we are in part responsible. Mary sees suffering and she cannot look away. This bond of mother and Son is stronger than the revulsion of suffering. And she bears no guilt or shame to drive her off.
"Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered". Jesus is without sin or guilt and yet he suffers. Even though he is the Son of God he still embodies perfect obedience in a way that can only be expressed in the face of suffering. And Mary, as his mother, shares in his suffering. She is so closely bound to him in love that she feels every pain as if it is her own. She too "learns obedience" even though she is already full of grace. Jesus and Mary both reveal what perfect obedience is like. It is manifest in different ways based on their different callings but it is one and the same obedience. Unlike them, we are not already perfect. We are not without sin or guilt. But through grace we are called to share the relationship of Jesus to Mary.
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, 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 to his own home.
In turn, we are taught by Mary to share the sorrows of Jesus in this most perfect way. She teaches us that we must not run from the cross. We must not look away from suffering. Mary teaches us to gaze upon the cross with her own maternal affection for her only Son. She herself does this even though it is this resolute and determined gaze that makes a sword pierce her own heart (cf. Luk. 2:35). Mary's compassion can overcome even our greatest indifference. She can warm even the coldest hearts. As we gaze with her upon the cross we are set free just as the ancient Isarelities are set free as they gaze at the sarapah serpent on the pole. Her obedience, sharing in the obedience of Jesus, gradually becomes our own obedience. Her love gradually becomes our own.
Mary watches Jesus say "Into thy hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God." Her heart is torn as Jesus dies. Yet she echoes these words as Jesus says them. Once more she speaks her fiat, the meaning thereof now fully disclosed. And as she speaks them she teaches us the love that allows us to finally speak them as well.
Today let us gaze upon the exulted cross. We can do this through meditative prayer. We can do this every time we encounter suffering in the world. When we are tempted to look away let us ask Mary to cover us with her mantle and to share with us her perfect love for Jesus.
It does not end in sorrow. Mary's gaze is resolute because her hope is steadfast! The only reason that she can face down the darkness of the cross is the trust and hope she has. She wants to share that with all of her children.
O how abundant is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for those who fear thee, and wrought for those who take refuge in thee, in the sight of the sons of men!
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