Where do we go and who do we trust when the crosses of our own life come along? This week we'll finish our reflection on the third charism of the congregation: The Cross, Our Only Hope, recalling His Mother Mary at the foot of His Cross as our inspiration.
Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, now a classic film, may be too intense for some to watch but it is indeed a masterpiece. Gibson got it right, making the meeting of Jesus and Mary the center of the film, literally (right smack dab in the middle) and figuratively. Horrifically battered and wounded, Jesus falls and Mary runs to him: “I am here!”, the Mother says. He looks at Her, the only one who can understand Him, and says, “Behold, I make all things new!”
She is not a forlorn, distraught mother, incapacitated by the loss of her child. She is the woman full of grace chosen to be the Mother and chosen to be united with the Savior as He completes the task He was born for. As She said YES to the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation, She says YES now. Pope emeritus Benedict XV wrote, “Faith is community with Mary at the side of the Cross.”
Our Lady of Sorrows, the Patroness of Holy Cross, shows us that, like Her, we too share with Jesus in His work of our salvation when we believe, trust, and follow Him when the Cross comes our way – as indeed it will: especially when the Cross we carry is the sharing of the sufferings of others!
Carrying the Cross with Jesus at times of crises like COVID-19 may mean being stronger that we may think we are and using gifts like our wisdom and talents to help others. Sometimes we have to “love ‘till it hurts,” as Mother Theresa said. Jesus WILL lead us to LIFE and Mary WILL help!