The Seven Last Words: 2010. (Third saying)

Holy Week Reflections: The Seven Last Words: 2010
(Siete Ultimas Palabras)
WEDNESDAY : THE THIRD: Woman, behold your son.. Behold your mother. Even In Our Moments Of Pain, We Should Not Forget Our Obligations To Family.
John 19:23-27: 23 The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. 24 They said therefore to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be"; that the Scripture might be fulfilled, "They divided My outer garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots." 25 Therefore the soldiers did these things. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" 27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household.
In the most difficult periods of our lives, the women will often show their strength by being there. Standing by the cross that day were Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene and another lady identified as the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus. Joining the women was man who was close to the Lord and the family of Mary: John the disciple, the one who wrote the Gospel of John as well as the 3 letters (1 John to 3 John).
Jesus was in pain but His mind and eyes were clear. He saw His mother Mary with the other women and He also saw John. Note carefully the next words for these were not directed at one person but at two persons in the presence of witnesses: To Mary His mother He said: Woman, behold your son (referring to John) and to John He said: Behold your mother. Mary was the mother of Jesus during His earthly sojourn. That was about to end and Mary should not be left behind without a loving son to take care of her. Apparently Joseph had long died as indicated by the non-mention of his name in the Gospels since Jesus started ministering. Mary was to accept John as son and John was to accept Mary as his mother. Jesus was in pain but He remembers His obligations and He did what had to be done. Lesson: Obligations to our families are sacred duties that must be fulfilled to the best of our abilities. Pains are never acceptable as excuse to neglect our duties to our families. Una ang Diyos, ikalawa ang pamilya. Gagawin natin lahat para sa ating pamilya.