Meanwhile, standing near 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 beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

1.  The Depth of the Darkness.  Shouting, "We have no King but Caesar!" the violent mob clamored to shed the blood of Christ. Scourging him, the soldiers tore his body into rags. Amidst the spitting and cursing crowd, Jesus carried his cross to Calvary. Yet always behind the long trail of blood, always resting in the shadow of the Savior's cross, always steadfast in her total love, Mary, his Mother, stood as a beacon of light within the encircling darkness. 

Why, O Mother, do we find you and your Son here? Why must Jesus be crushed in such a ruthless tragedy? Why must you, O Mary, be caught within this web of suffering? Why is this day so dark? And then I remember. Is not the horror of Calvary due to the horror of my transgressions? The darkness emanates from my own sin.

Sometimes I forget just how terrifying sin is. I forget that my sin cost Christ his blood and life. Teach me, sweet Mother, never to forget the malice locked with every sinful deed, no matter how small. But also, fortify my faith to know that the darkness of Calvary leads to the brilliance of heaven. Christ died so that I will live. Remind me, dear Mother, as you assisted the timid apostles in the upper room before Pentecost, that Christ calls me out of the darkness of sin to go forth and build his Kingdom. 

2.  Standing in the Storm.  Calvary's storm of suffering wreaked havoc upon the apostles, but Mary stood, firm and faithful, at the foot of the cross. Watching her beloved Son die the most humiliating death imaginable, she did not collapse under the sorrow. What was the secret to her strength? How did she stand firm in the storm?

The secret is faith. Mary took to heart the words her Son proclaimed, "Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:38-39)  Mary had faith in the plan that God was conducting. Even the shadow of the cross would not veer her from that unshakable foundation.

I need this same faith, Lord Jesus, to stand firm and faithful before suffering. My calling necessarily implies carrying a cross.  I will suffer, but I will not suffer meaninglessly. By faith I know that my cross, united to yours Lord Jesus, continues the work of redemption. My suffering can save souls. Let me never confuse the sacrifice demanded in carrying the cross with thinking that I am following the wrong path. There is only one path to follow you; the path to Calvary. 

3.  Motherly Munificence.As Jesus look  ed down from the cross, he saw a handful of followers below him. He saw his Mother there, full of faith and love. He saw John and the women. Then off at a distance, he saw his other disciples. Knowing the needs of his disciples (and as well those to come after them) Jesus wanted to give them a gift to help them stay faithful. So there upon the cross, Christ blessed humanity with the greatest gift besides Himself; Mary. 

What an incredible gift to receive! Mary is my mother and she loves me as her son. She, in her ever-watchful love, tends to my needs and intercedes on my behalf. As every mother, she covers me in her generous attention, teaching me to hear and respond to the heartbeats of her Son. Thank you Lord Jesus for this beautiful gift! And, Mary, hold me close to your side so that I will grow in my faith. I want to follow Christ by picking up my cross. Teach me the hidden strength of faith and to give my life totally, just like you O Mary, to whatever plan God has marked out for my soul.

Conversation: My vocation calls me to embrace the cross. But this cross is not the crushing burden that you, O Lord, endured for my sins. No, the yoke I bear after you is easy and its burden light. You paid for all my sins and now call me to help continue the plan of redemption; offering my suffering up for souls. May my heart be completely generous, just like Marys'; to this mission you lay in my hands. And Mary, increase my faith in suffering so that it will be a ladder helping me to climb towards heaven and save many souls.

Questionnaire

1. What is sin to me? Does meditating on the passion of Christ bring me to an ever greater hatred of sin? Am I truly grateful to Christ for his passion on the cross?

2. What role does Mary play in my life? Do I turn to her, as a son turns to his mother, pleading for the graces I need?

3. How can I better embrace suffering in my life? In what ways could I bolster my faith while carrying my cross?