“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.‘ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”
The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes how the Apostles returned to the upper room in Jerusalem after the Ascension with Mary and some women and “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer.” What is described here is a result of what happens in the first Gospel reading, when Jesus says to Mary and John from the cross: “ ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.‘ ”
God, help me be faithful to John’s example by taking Mary into my home. Her gaze, always on her Son, brings Jesus’ spirit into the home of everyone who believes. The Gospel acclamation says: “O blessed mother of the Church, you warm our hearts with the Spirit of your Son Jesus Christ.” Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of your mother to all who praise you—one you gave us from the cross before blood and water flowed out from you. “Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”
Mary, who brought comfort to Jesus in his earthly life, follows the command of her son to behold her Son John and all other sons and daughters, the children of God. There is no mistake in Jesus’ calling Mary “woman.” In an alternative to the first reading, Eve is described as “woman,” whom the serpent tricked into eating from the tree. From the wood of the cross, Jesus makes Mary the New Eve, whose role in restoring humanity is to be the Mother of the Word Incarnate.
Today let me remember that the Virgin who gave birth to the Lord is present in my home and ready to intercede for me to her Son. The Regina Caeli, a prayer said during Eastertime in the Liturgy of the Hours, brings Jesus and Mary together in the joy of the Resurrection.
Queen of Heaven
Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
Has risen, as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.