24th Week in Ordinary Time : Monday 15th September 2025

The pieta is considered a stunning masterpiece that depicts the profundity of heartache and sorrow. Beauty is not erased by sorrow, on the contrary, it illustrates the deepest truth of human longing. The focus on the words of Jesus from the Cross: “This is your mother:” “This is your son,” in giving His mother to John and John to His mother, reveal to us God in Jesus restored the reconciled relationship between man and woman, mother and son to its rightful place.

Even in His hour of immense suffering,Jesus looked highly upon Mary and John. He entrusted them to begin a spring of new life by recognizing one another in the new reign of God. Indeed, Jesus’ heart was closer to those who suffered and He consoled them by assuring them where they belonged.

The essence of Christian belonging springs from Jesus laying down His life for is friends Un 15:13). It is directly related to Jesus’ words on mutual love. Jesus brings together diverse people, men and women, younger and older, relatives and others to their sense of belonging beyond bloodlines. New relationships are created whenever the one becomes the brother ofJesus, or even in persona of Him – ‘Here is your son’; and the woman has her role and household transformed – ‘Here is your mother’ . Mary and the beloved disciple form an agape relationship that depicts a transcending-sorrow relationship; open to everyone to take their place.

PRAYER Jesus, grant that my life fits the place You restore for me.