A Word From the Associate Pastor

 Rev. A. Rebecca West, Associate Pastor

 "Mother Behold Your Son"
 John 19:25-27

 

Good Friday March 21, 2008

 As I reflected on Jesus upon the cross and his mother at the foot of the cross, I am reminded of what Simeon told her when he blessed Jesus.  "Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed?and a sword will pierce your own soul too.
What chilling words for a young mother?  As Mary stood at the foot of the cross did these words come to her mind?  As Mary stood at that cross do you think she asked the question, why my son?  As they pierced Him in his side, did she feel each one along with him?  Do you think that at some point she may have asked God to let her take up his cross?  After all, she is an old woman and he is in the prime of his life.  We do not know what was going on in her mind but as a mother I can guess all of those questions were there.
I fast forward to 2008 where mothers are still burying their sons.  I think of all the bodies that have returned to the United State from Iraq; the lives that were lost in the war, not counting those who are physically and mentally impaired.  I think of the questions on the mind of those mothers who did not choose that life for their children.
Then I think of all of the mothers whose children in Iraq and other war torn countries have lost their lives.
There are mothers who are loosing their sons to drugs, gangs, and other diseases because of the lack of decent education, health care and jobs.
There are mothers all over this world whose sons and daughters do not have decent housing, medical care, food and other basic necessities of life.   
As I reflect on this passage I believe today, Jesus is charging us to be mothers to those mothers in need of assistance.  A kind word, a warm smile, an advocate on their behalf or whatever, gifts or talents we have to offer.  Let us do it willingly, in the Name of the One who asked the one he loved to take care of his mother.