Daily Worship

MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS AT THE CROSS

Jane Denniston March 18, 2016 0 0

JOHN 19: 25-30

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing near by, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

The death of Jesus

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus, my son and my Lord.
I carried you for nine months, 
safe in my womb;
cradled in love
and wrapped in promise.
Truly safe for a moment in time.
Oh, to have kept you safe.

I nursed you, safe in my arms, 
although vulnerable too; 
fragile infant, hostile world.
I watched over you
as you grew; 
loved you, 
scolded you, 
cared for you, 
laughed with you, 
cried with you, 
hurt for you. 

What privilege to feed
the Bread of Life.
What wonder to teach
the Way and the Truth.
What honour to mother
the great I Am, the True Vine.

Yet I knew this day would come; 
secrets I treasured in my heart, 
bitter treasures 
buried with the sweet, 
warned me. 
Delight in my sweet child
becomes anguish for my beloved son.

The joy that pierced my heart 
as I held you for the first time
transformed to pain
as I be-held you for the last time.
And I weep for you,
my son and my Lord.