Behold your family
John 19:25-34 | 9 June - Mary, Mother of the Church on Monday of week 10 in Ordinary Time Year C (1)
From the Gospel according to John
At that time: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, 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.
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’ A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished’, and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
This passage occurs at the climactic moment of Jesus's crucifixion, where two profound events unfold: the creation of a new family and the fulfillment of Scripture. The scene takes place on Golgotha, where Jesus endures his final moments while his closest loved ones watch in anguish.
The presence of four women, including Mary, highlighting feminine courage and fidelity
The symbolic "blood and water" from Jesus's side, representing both the sacraments and his full humanity
The phrase "Woman, behold your son" echoes Genesis, suggesting a new creation moment
The term "It is finished" (Tetelestai) signifies complete fulfillment of God's plan
In his dying moments, Jesus creates a new kind of family - one bound not by blood but by faith and love. Even in extreme suffering, he demonstrates perfect love by caring for others. This reveals that authentic Christian community transcends biological ties, creating bonds as strong as those between mother and child.
Many feel isolated and disconnected from traditional family structures. In my pastoral work, I’ve witnessed individuals find healing and belonging in faith communities that become their spiritual family. Like Mary and John, we are called to embrace and care for one another as true family members.
Act: Identify someone in your faith community who needs family-like support and take one concrete step to care for them (a meal, a call, or practical help).
Reflect:
Who has God placed in your life to care for as family?
How can you better embrace your role in the family of faith?
What prevents you from accepting others as true spiritual family?
Let us pray: Lord, help us love one another as you loved us.
From the sayings of Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia:
Mary Immaculate is the Mother of God, the Mother of us and the Mother of the Church.