mom's crying
"Jesus said to His mother, 'Woman, there is your son.' In turn He said to the disciple, 'There is your mother.' " —John 19:26-27
When a mother cries, a special power moves in the heart of each family member. When mom cries, we feel compelled to make peace and do whatever she tells us. Mother Mary tells us to do whatever Jesus tells us (Jn 2:5). So when she cries, it results in Jesus being obeyed.
When Jesus "offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to God" (Heb 5:7), His Father heard Him but most others ignored Him. Yet when mother Mary cries, it affects us differently. We are moved by her tears so as not to remain unmoved by His tears. Our hearts may be hardened, calloused, and cold. But when we see her crying, pierced with a sword, the thoughts of our hearts are laid bare (Lk 2:35). We see our insensitivity to the crucified Savior. When we see her crying at the foot of the cross, we notice we're not crying when we should be (Jn 19:25).
How precious are a mother's tears raining down on a dry, cold world! "At the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last."
Prayer: Jesus, may I be ashamed not to cry before Your cross.
Promise: "Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother: 'This Child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a Sign that will be opposed.' " —Lk 2:34
Praise: Our Lady of Sorrows bore the suffering with her Son and watered the seeds of faith with her tears.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Crucifying Jesus on audio AV 65-3 or video V-65.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 8, 2005
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