When God Seems Absent … (A meditation on Mary, Mother of the Church)

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Gospel -John 19: 25-34:

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
    and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
    and Mary of Magdala.
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.
After this, aware that everything was now finished,
    in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
    Jesus said, “I thirst.”
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop
    and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
    “It is finished.”
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. 

Now since it was preparation day,
    in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
    for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,
    the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken
    and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first
    and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
    they did not break his legs,
    but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
    and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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The death of Jesus ushers in the rarest moment in scripture. 

It is the only three days in history where God seems absent, nowhere to be found. 

Imagine Jesus locked away in a dark and dusty tomb, hidden behind a stone.

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In some sense, Mary is the closest anyone will get to Jesus; she alone was with him from the womb to the tomb.

She became like his second skin; she learned his habits; she knew his heart; and he knew hers.

If anyone can speak on Jesus’ behalf during his absence, it’s Mary, which is why he says to John in today’s Gospel, “Behold, your mother.”

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Perhaps some of us have felt like John the Apostle in that moment – lost; as if God has been taken from us.

It’s the most difficult experience in the spiritual life, feeling the absence of God.

But in those moments, we can turn to Mary, who assures us the Lord is nearby.

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For all who are in need peace, healing, or consolation, we ask for Mary’s intercession, saying:

Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, amen.

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Image credits: (1) The Crucifixion, The Community of Jesus (2) The Crucifixion, by Peter Paul Rubens (3) The Crucifixion with the Virgin, St. Mary Magdalene, St. John the Evangelist, and St. Vitus, by Garofalo