John 19:22-27: a reflection

22Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They parted my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. 25But standing by Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.

Even in the agony of the crucifixion, Jesus attends to the care of his mother. Seeing his mother standing near the cross, and the disciple whom he loved beside her, he says to her, Woman, behold, your son! and to the disciple, Behold, your mother! And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own home. In the midst of his own suffering, dying, Jesus does not forget his mother; he sees to her care, entrusting her to the disciple who would provide for her. His love reached beyond his own agony to the needs of another, providing for his mother even as he hung dying on the cross.

Notice Christ's care for his mother even in his own suffering. He was in agony, dying; if ever there were a time to be absorbed wholly in one's own pain, this was it. Yet Jesus, seeing his mother, thought of her need, and provided for her, entrusting her to the beloved disciple who would take her into his home. His love did not turn inward under his suffering, but reached out to care for another, to see to his mother's future. Even on the cross, in his own agony, Christ's love was attentive to the needs of another, providing for his mother. His care for her, at such a moment, shows a love that suffering could not turn wholly inward.

That is worth taking to heart, for Christ's example calls us to a love that cares for others even in our own suffering. When we suffer, it is natural to be absorbed wholly in our own pain, to have no thought for others; but Christ, in the agony of the cross, saw to his mother's care, his love reaching beyond his own suffering to the needs of another. There is a love that does not turn wholly inward even in suffering, but still cares for others. When you are suffering, do not let your pain turn you wholly inward, forgetting others; let your love, like Christ's, still care for those around you even then. Let your love, like Christ's, care for others even in your own suffering, not turning wholly inward, as Jesus provided for his mother even in the agony of the cross, entrusting her to the beloved disciple; for Christ's love reached out to another even in his own agony, and he calls us to a love that does not forget others even when we ourselves are suffering.

Lord Jesus, even in the agony of the crucifixion, you attend to the care of your mother. Seeing your mother standing near the cross, and the disciple whom you loved beside her, you say to her, woman, behold, your son! and to the disciple, behold, your mother! And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own home. In the midst of your own suffering, dying, you do not forget your mother; you see to her care, entrusting her to the disciple who would provide for her. Your love reached beyond your own agony to the needs of another. Show me your care for your mother even in your own suffering. You were in agony, dying; if ever there were a time to be absorbed wholly in one's own pain, this was it. Yet you, seeing your mother, thought of her need, and provided for her. Your love did not turn inward under your suffering, but reached out to care for another. Even on the cross, in your own agony, your love was attentive to the needs of another. Take that to my heart, for your example calls me to a love that cares for others even in my own suffering. When I suffer, it is natural to be absorbed wholly in my own pain, to have no thought for others; but you, in the agony of the cross, saw to your mother's care. There is a love that does not turn wholly inward even in suffering. When I am suffering, keep me from letting my pain turn me wholly inward, forgetting others; let my love, like yours, still care for those around me even then, Lord, as you provided for your mother even in the agony of the cross.