This Gospel for the eighth week in Ordinary Time sets the scene for events that are far from ordinary. Unexpectedly, the writings in this Gospel of John place us at the crucifixion. Mary, the mother of Jesus, stands silent witness along with John and two other Marys. Jesus sees his mother and John. He addresses his mother first - in a way we might consider strange, but it is a term of respect in Biblical times - as “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to John, “Behold your mother.” With these words, Mary is given as mother to John and to us all individually and to the Church as a whole.
No matter your relationship to your own mother, whether biological or adopted, we can claim this wonderful woman as our own mother. Since I grew up in a church that did not give Mary this role, it has taken me a lifetime to grow close to her, to allow her to mother me as I am sure she desires. Preparing for this reflection, I reviewed my own relationship with my earthly mother, a complicated, often hurtful one, and with the scenes of Mary’s role as depicted in the Scriptures. What I found was a human woman of her time, not fearing to have a real mother’s relationship with her divine child. How strong and caring and brave she was to ride a very uncomfortable donkey (probably) or walk, perhaps in a caravan or perhaps accompanied by Joseph, about 100 miles uphill through bandit-ridden territory to visit Elizabeth and comfort her as she awaited the birth of John. How trusting she was to accept Joseph’s wish to ride another distance to Bethlehem in the last stages of her pregnancy. How stoic she was to give birth in a stable after an unsuccessful attempt to find suitable lodging. How puzzled, perhaps frightened, to hear Simeon’s words describing a sword in her heart (perhaps presaging Jesus’ piercing during his crucifixion). How worried and hurt to find Jesus after searching for three days. (Three days!) His reply to her gentle rebuke was that he must be in his Father’s house. I’m thinking how like a twelve-year-old those words sounded to me. How brave yet accommodating her words at the wedding at Cana when she asked Jesus to give the wedding couple more wine, only to be turned down by Jesus, whose “time had not yet come”. Her answer to the stewards, “Do whatever he tells you.” What confidence! Her fear when she and Jesus’ brothers wait for him outside a house in which he is speaking, thinking that perhaps he has lost his mind, and his response: Who are my mother and brothers? Ouch.
I have learned that she is a patient and persistent mother who never gives up. She is a rather silent mother who speaks when she really wants to be heard. Do I listen? Do I struggle to understand when I am hurt? Do I forgive? Do I stay until the end? Am I with others to witness the glory of Jesus’ resurrection? Do I share the Good News with others?
Mother Mary, pray for us.
Suzanne Braddock
Creighton University and I are old friends, first as a medical resident in a program shared with The University of Nebraska then forty plus years as a parishioner at St John’s, the campus church. Now retired from a gratifying but busy medical practice I enjoy the quiet hours and nature.
Writing these reflections is a challenge and a grace, bringing me closer to the meaning of the Scriptures and the love God wants us to understand.
