Encounter of Love – Reflection on John 19:25-34
For many reasons, Jesus must have developed a deep friendship with the disciple he loved. The most human emotion and tender reasons I can think of are that Jesus knew Mary would need someone she trusted to continue loving and caring for her as He did. I also suspect that Jesus had prepared this disciple to participate similarly with Him in the depth of Mary’s spiritual connection with her Son. The gift to the disciple Jesus loved was an encounter of love with the mother of God that no other human would ever experience. This undocumented relationship between the disciple and Mary should have us think about how we feel about our mother, our significant other’s mother, or a friend’s mother as a new loving experience, even if they are in Heaven’s eternity.
The Sorrowful Mother by James Tissot painting at full resolution.
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary time Reflections
John 19:25-34 – Scripture*
25 Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
31 Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35 (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.)
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 19:25-34 Reflection – Encounter of Love.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 19 passage.
Thie Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the websites of the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum.