Reflection: Where and when did Jesus say those words? He said them when He was dying on the cross, in the last hour of His life. Who did He speak to? He spoke to the disciple standing by the cross whom Jesus loved (with divine love – agape). The disciple also loved Jesus, and so he overcame fear of death and stood by the cross. The other disciples were overcome by fear and so they did not stand by the cross.

Jesus wants us too to be disciples standing by the cross and united by love to Jesus crucified. A disciple forsakes everything for the sake of Christ, even his fear of death, because he knows that Jesus conquered death. In reward for faithfulness in the following of Christ, which is a demonstration of practical love, Jesus gives eternal life.

Jesus “saw the disciple”, “said to the disciple” and “the disciple received” the last will, or testament, of Jesus. He received the mother of Jesus. He is an example to us. Let us be Jesus’ disciples. Let us receive the mother of Jesus too. How should we receive her? Let us receive her into our own, into ourselves, into our innermost being (Gr. eis ta idia, Lat. in sua). Let us receive the mother of Jesus every day. Let us actualize this testament during our earthly life. Let us come to the mother of Jesus with our problems. A mother not only gives birth to children but also brings them up. Jesus has given His mother to you as well. Bear this in mind during the prayer stops in the following two weeks when you will repeat these words. At the same time, receive the mother of Jesus by faith within a few moments every day.

Download: Reflection on Jn 19:26-27