United States Conference of Secular institutes

USCSI REFLECTIONS

Our Lady of Sorrows

John 19:25-27

Mary’s motherhood and the beloved disciple’s sonship are part of the Father’s salvific plan. Jesus looking at this mother could only think of her loneliness once he was gone. He also felt badly for John the one whom he loved – so he graciously provided for both of them. To the end of the day, even on the cross, Jesus was thinking of the sorrows of others than of his own. There is so much symbolism in this final mission of Jesus. The beloved disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, is made the protector of the true understanding of Jesus’ teaching. We all have different roles. Some are given the responsibility of the structure, others are given the responsibility of the spirit.