Another excellent allocutio from our president Ciera. Check it out!
At the foot of the man’s cross I notice three Jews: a man and two women. One of the women is bent over, shaking with sobs. The other – who I realize is his mother – stands still, held by the young man, her tear-stained face raised to behold her disfigured son in his wretchedness.
Why does she not protest for her son’s life? How does she not look away from the wicked sight? Why does she hold on so intently to the pain that must be shattering her heart?
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See beyond the Crucifixion moment further back to Moses who supported Israel’s battle against the Amalekites and Aaron and Hur held his arms up because if they fell down, Israel would experience setbacks in the fight, but by raising his arms throughout the battle, Israel became victorious. It is not hard to appreciate the greater role Mary had in offering up and keeping with her son’s self-sacrifice for the sake of humanity. More than Moses whose prayers and tired arms helped God’s people, Mary’s prayers and heart rendering grief were given for us all. But her grief tore her heart and made visible to us the invisible pain of God Himself over those who scorn His Love.