7 Words of Easter: Mother

²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. – John 19:25-27

The Church has a long history of teaching which I have recently became fond of. Around Easter, many ruminate over what is referred to as the “Seven Words of Jesus” on the cross. The term “words” here are better described as “phrases”. These were the statements of Jesus during the passion and many find them to be especially powerful during Easter week. Currently, I am reading Seven Last Words by James Martin and it has sparked in me a more concentrated focus during this Holy Week.

There is a painting featured prominently in my childhood home. It is Good Friday, as we can tell by the dark clouds over a cross in the distance, yet this is not the focus. Illustrated more earnestly is a woman collapsing in grief, around her, women attempt in vain to console. The focus is on a lowly mother who was heartbroken, reaching what she thought was the end of her God ordained calling. She is yet to experience the joy of resurrection Sunday.

It would be a lie to say we envied the call of Mary. As a teen, she was given perhaps the greatest of tasks in all of Scripture. She would give birth to who, regardless of religious belief, would be seen as the most influential figure in all of history. She would grow a special bond with that child, for roughly 35 years, only to see Him brutally mocked and executed before her witness. Some believe it was marked by confusion. From her first appearance in Scripture, when the angel explains the miraculous birth to happen, she is given little information to go upon. While Jesus is seen as fully God to those who believe now, we are given something Mary did not have. She lived through the time we see in hindsight, with little to go on but a vision and a few peculiar statements from her son. Regardless of her grasp of His deity, Jesus was still her earthly son. It is important for us to remember her womanhood. She was chosen to be the conduit of God and shows the strength, humility, and faith of not only herself, but of women in general. This was in an especially repressive time for her gender.

These words of Jesus are often overlooked. The lines seem a little confusing and easily dismissible. Knowing his fate, the Christ looks after a lowly and grieving mother. By appointing the disciple “whom he loved” (John), Jesus is looking after His family once more. Understanding the pain of the moment, He does not dismiss it with cliche, but leans into it. By His cross, He shows His understanding of the brutality of injustice, but by speaking to Mary, He demonstrates how we are to love the grieving. It is worth noting that John would live longest of the disciples as well as be the only one not to be martyred. While we know Mary would die before John, it is interesting to think of Jesus sparing her another son’s gruesome death.

There are no wounds deeper than those made by family. Our family life is very much hidden from the rest of the world. Here we are, for better or worse, our rawest self. Many of us can think of Mary and immediately feel her ache.

A lost child.

An unresolved life.

An unbearable calling.

She serves as a constant example of humility and strength. God seems to use the most unexpected – those who the world happily look past – to fulfill His will while providing a divine example for those who come after. When I think of this paining, I think of the strength of my own mother, who dealt with similar hardships. I think of resilience and even through broken tears, I see strength. The suffering of Mary was not wasted, even when it felt absurd. God was showing us a blessed example of redemption.

Lord thank you for the examples you give us. Thank you for using the seemingly unremarkable in this world, giving hope to us. Help us to suffer well, knowing the redemption comes after. Give us the character of Mary so we might see you a little clearer. Amen