Standing with Mary
VERŻJONI MALTIJA
Introduction
Today, a few weeks after Easter, we walk with Mary, the beloved disciple, and the women who remained near Jesus in his final moments. Their courage, sorrow, and steadfast love invite us to reflect on our own lives—especially the moments when our plans fall apart and we feel lost.
Before beginning, pause and breathe. Let your body settle.
Scripture.
Read the text slowly. John 19:25–27
“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 nearby, 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.”
Ask for the Grace
- to stay close to Jesus when life feels uncertain or painful, trusting His love even when my plans fall apart.
- to stand with courage like Mary and receive His loving gaze as the beloved disciple.
Points for Reflection
- Mary knew suffering would come, yet nothing could have prepared her for the Cross. She stood there helpless, watching her son endure humiliation, hatred, and death. This was not part of her life plan.
- In her darkest moment, Mary stayed close to Jesus till the end. She did not flee, even though she did not understand. Her initial yes at the Annunciation remained strong and steadfast.
- What do I wish to flee from? What parts of my life feel upside down?
- When my own plans fall apart, where do I stand / who stands with me?
- Jesus entrusts the beloved disciple to Mary and Mary’s love and protection to the disciple. The beloved (loved one) is unnamed, this is an invitation for me to stand in that place.
- I imagine myself standing beside Mary at the foot of the Cross. I see Jesus suffering, he looks at me with profound love.
- Focus on those eyes filled with love for me.
- What does His gaze awaken in me?
- What is He telling me? Stay with it.
Colloquy.
During the first part of the walk in silence, I imagine walking with Jesus / Mary beside me.
I speak to them and offer:
- the parts of my life that feel uncertain or broken,
- the plans that have fallen through,
- the places where I feel lost or without direction.
- Recall in gratitude who stands with me in my suffering.
- Allow Mary to embrace me, to protect and care for me and invite her into my heart.
- Who am I invited to stand beside?
Recall that I am created in love and held in love.
- Let Jesus look at me as the beloved.
- Listen to what He may be inviting me to.
- Where is God asking me to love and serve today?
I Thirst (John 19:29) Letter from God to Saint Mother Theresa
“I tell you again that I love you, not for what you have or ceased to do, I love you for you, for the beauty and the dignity My Father gave you by creating you in His own image. It is a dignity you have often forgotten, a beauty you have tarnished by sin. But I love you as you are, and I have shed My Blood to rescue you. If you only ask Me with faith, My grace will touch all that needs changing in your life: I will give you the strength to free yourself from sin and from all its destructive power.
I THIRST FOR YOU – just you, as you are.
You don’t need to change to believe in My love, for it will be your confidence in that love that will make you change. You forget Me, and yet I am seeking you every moment of the day – standing before the doors of your heart and calling.
Do you find this difficult to believe? If so, look at the Cross, look at My Heart that was pierced for you. Have you not understood My Cross? Then listen again to the words I spoke there, for they tell you clearly why I endured all this for you:”
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
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