The Third Word From The Cross
"Woman, behold thy Son!,... Behold thy Mother!"
- John 19:25-27
A pleading prayer for His enemies, a solemn pledge to the penitent
thief, a loving provision for His mother, these were the themes of the
first three sentences from the Cross. The first word was spoken with
eyes lifted heavenward; the second with eyes to one side; the third
with eyes downward. Here are the three basic duties of Christian
living: lift your soul to God; win the souls of men; let your hands do
good.
As Mary stood under the cross, with a sword piercing through her heart,
she was upheld in her deep sorrow by the two other Marys, Salome, and
the beloved disciple. Tenderly and sadly Jesus thought of the future
that awaited Mary during her remaining years on earth. He also thought
she must have someone to care for her in the troublous days of
persecution that awaited Him and . . .
The Third Word From The Cross
"Woman, behold thy Son!,... Behold thy Mother!"
- John 19:25-27
A pleading prayer for His enemies, a solemn pledge to the penitent thief, a loving provision for His mother, these were the themes of the first three sentences from the Cross. The first word was spoken with eyes lifted heavenward; the second with eyes to one side; the third with eyes downward. Here are the three basic duties of Christian living: lift your soul to God; win the souls of men; let your hands do good.
As Mary stood under the cross, with a sword piercing through her heart, she was upheld in her deep sorrow by the two other Marys, Salome, and the beloved disciple. Tenderly and sadly Jesus thought of the future that awaited Mary during her remaining years on earth. He also thought she must have someone to care for her in the troublous days of persecution that awaited Him and the early Church. Jesus had nothing of an earthly estate to give her. His garments had been claimed by the soldiers. So He gave her His own disciple, John, who would take her into his own home, and they would comfort each other.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did ever such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
PRAY - O divine Redeemer, Thou hast restored me to right relations with God. Help me to the right relations with mankind, especially with parents, through whom Thou hast blessed me so richly. Amen.