Sunday 22 March 2009

Background

A death 'out of time' is always traumatic. It's expected thatthe old will die before the young. The violent death of innocentpeople inflicted by a powerful state (in this case, the RomanEmpire) is a weapon of terror.

All that is evident in today's passage. Beyond that, a motherwitnesses the death of the child she brought to birth. In thisparticular story about the death of Jesus is a universal story ofthe experience of many mothers in the world of today.

In many traditional societies, it is the children's duty to carefor their parents in old age. It's therefore a tragic but evocativemoment that the dying Jesus entrusts the care of his mother to afaithful friend.

The pain of Mary, so obvious here, is one reason why mothers downthrough the ages have felt a connection to the mother of Jesus. Sheis known in the Orthodox Church as 'The Mother of God'.

To Ponder

How strongly do you think family obligations arefelt in today's society, where the welfare state carries so muchresponsibility that once was the duty of families?

What are your thoughts and feelings as youreflect on the death of Jesus as it was witnessed by his friends,family and opponents?

What are your reflections on the place of Mary inthe Christian story?