Episode 2008: On the Cross: Mother Behold the Son - Part 18

We are onto the 18th of the 22 statements Christ made during his passion. Welcome to CR, as we delve into the depths of this scripture verse "Here is your mother." (John 19:26-27).
Let me start by reading the scripture verse:
"When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own."
Walt what do you think about that scripture verse?
From a traditional Catholic perspective, it truly shows the profound significance of a mother's love in the divine plan. Right? Christ put his Mother over the Church. It does not mean that Christ asked John just to take care of his Mother but that his Mother as the Co-Redemptorist is over his mystical body the Catholic Church.
That’s why he said “Behold Thy Mother”. Truly Mary was not his maternal Mother but his spiritual Mother. Make sense?

Absolutely, Now, let's set the stage. In John 19:26-27, we see a moment during the crucifixion of Jesus, where He entrusts His mother Mary to the care of the beloved disciple, John. Walt, can you give us some context on why this moment holds such profound significance in Catholic theology? If you don’t mind I think I need to do a much deeper dive using Marian Theology as my guide.
First and foremost, Jesus' words to Mary, "Woman, behold thy son," and to John, "Behold thy mother," establish a spiritual maternity for Mary over all believers. In this act, Jesus not only expresses His filial love and concern for His mother's well-being but also designates Mary as the spiritual mother of the Church. This spiritual motherhood is not limited to John alone but extends to all disciples of Christ throughout time, including us today.
Mary's role as the spiritual mother of believers finds its foundation in her unique relationship with Jesus as His earthly mother. Just as Mary physically gave birth to Jesus, she also spiritually gives birth to us in the order of grace. Through her "yes" to the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation, Mary cooperated with God's plan of redemption, becoming the channel through which the Savior entered the world. As such, Mary is intimately linked to the mystery of the Incarnation and holds a special place in the economy of salvation.
Moreover, Mary's presence at the foot of the cross underscores her participation in the redemptive suffering of Christ. As she stood beneath the cross, Mary united her own maternal suffering with the sacrificial offering of her Son for the salvation of humanity. In this moment, Mary becomes the New Eve, sharing in Christ's victory over sin and death and offering her maternal intercession for all her spiritual children.
Furthermore, by entrusting Mary to John and John to Mary, Jesus establishes a familial bond between His beloved disciple and His mother. This bond symbolizes the unity and communion that should exist within the body of believers, with Mary as the maternal figure who guides, nurtures, and intercedes for her children. Through her maternal care, Mary leads us closer to her Son, Jesus Christ, and helps us grow in holiness and discipleship.
Of course. Mary's role as the Mother of Jesus goes beyond mere biological motherhood; she is also spiritually our mother, given to us by Christ Himself from the cross. This act of entrusting Mary to John symbolizes her universal motherhood over all believers, represented by John as the disciple "whom He loved."
Exactly. Now, let's unpack this further. How does this moment exemplify the Catholic understanding of Mary's role as the "Mother of the Church"?
The title "Mother of the Church" was officially promulgated by Pope Paul VI during the Second Vatican Council, but its roots lie deep within Scripture and Tradition. When Jesus entrusts Mary to John, He not only cares for His mother's well-being but also establishes her as a mother to all believers. In doing so, Jesus forms a spiritual family, with Mary as its maternal figure, nurturing and guiding us on our journey of faith. This passage underscores Mary's intimate connection to the Church and her role in interceding for all its members.
Exactly right and it is so sad the Protestants just don’t get the importance of Mary over Christs Church. Even sadder is how the modern Catholic Church adopted this view. They tend to just view Christs words as “John take care of my mother” and nothing more. Now, let's explore the significance of this passage in the broader context of Catholic devotion to Mary.
Well let me jump in here because it is very special to me. My conversion started with the death of my son in which the 4th anniversary of his death was yesterday. The death of my son although very painful actually gets replaced with great joy that I found my faith through the suffering of my Son. It truly inspired me to turn it all over to Gods will as Mary did under the Cross. Within Catholic tradition, devotion to Mary is rooted in her unique relationship with Jesus and her unwavering faithfulness to God's will. The scene at the foot of the cross emphasizes Mary's solidarity with her Son in His suffering and her willingness to share in His redemptive mission. Through her fiat at the Annunciation and her presence at Calvary, Mary exemplifies perfect obedience and self-sacrificial love through “Thy will be done”. So, when Jesus entrusts Mary to John, He invites us to emulate her virtues and seek her intercession as a model of discipleship.

It's truly remarkable how this passage encapsulates not only your conversion to “Thy will be done” but also the many profound theological themes that come from that simple passage. Now, Sharon, as we conclude our discussion, what final thoughts would you like to leave our listeners with regarding John 19:26-27 and its significance in the life of a Catholic believer
I would like to remind our listeners that Mary's role in salvation history is not just a matter of piety but a theological reality deeply rooted in Scripture. Through her maternal care and intercession, Mary leads us closer to her Son, Jesus Christ, guiding us on our journey of faith and drawing us into deeper communion with the Church. As we meditate on the scene at the foot of the cross, may we be inspired to entrust ourselves to Mary's loving care and strive to imitate her virtues in our own lives.
Thank you, Sharon, for your profound insights and reflections on this sacred passage. And to our listeners, thank you for tuning in to another episode of the 22 statements Christ made during his passion. Join us again until we finish these passages and as we continue our exploration of Scripture and uncover the timeless truths it holds. Until then, may God bless you abundantly. Now go out and convert somebody during this Holy Week. Good day!