The Cross, Mary, and our Salvation

We first recall the annunciation when the angel greeted Mary with the message that she would conceive and bear a son, who would be the anointed one, the one who saves us.  Mary answered, "May it be done to me according to your word."  In Mary's yes to God, she carried in her womb our Lord and gave birth to the Word made flesh, to the incarnation of God who is Love.

Now, we stand at the foot of the cross with Mary in the midst of the passion of Jesus.   We hear the words that Jesus tells John, his beloved disciple, "Woman, behold your son." And Jesus speaks to John, "Behold your mother."  In this encounter, we hear echoes of Mary's answer in that earlier time, "May it be done to me according to your word....according to your word...Your will Lord, not mine."

A new era is about to begin.  Reminiscent of Mary's yes to God, Jesus now turns to her in his passion and she becomes the mother of eternal life.  In Mary's heart and mind, she cherishes our Lord, pondering his words and his life in her heart.  In these moments, Mary re-hears her own calling to love, nurture, guide, and bring to life the love of God in others.  By the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, the debt is paid, justice is complete. The old era is about to be finished.

It is the beginning of the end to an era of escalating violence, scapegoated victims, or even the old law, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  Mercy now triumphs justice. Forgiveness satisfies wrath, love conquers evil, death has no victory "for God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that we might have eternal life."  

Fulfilling the old and beginning the new, Jesus entrusts to Mary the mission of the church and in doing so, entrusts to Mary our mission as disciples of Christ.  By the same Spirit active in the annunciation, the word begins to grow and take form.  The power of creative love transforms and gives life to all who willingly, (or at least are docile enough to) allow the word to take shape in their lives.

We stand with Mary.  Deep within our soul, we search out and gaze into the eyes of the same Lord who looks with intent upon us.  In an exchange of Love between ourselves and the Lord, we hear again the calling to trust in the Lord of Love.  Perhaps we hear his voice, "Love conquers death.  Love brings eternal life.  Trust me now in the time of darkness.  Bring forth the love of God to those people, places and times still empty, alone, in pain, suffering, and alienated.  Bring forth Life."