Mary, What Was That Night Like for You?

Mary, What Was That Night Like for You?

             Mary, what was the night before Jesus’ death like for you, His mother? You likely also celebrated a Passover meal, maybe with family, while your Son celebrated with His apostles, His future priests. I’m not sure if men, women, and children usually celebrated together. But you were likely among those close to you.

            I have to believe that Jesus told you that His time had come and that He would undergo His passion and death the next day. I have to believe that God the Father and your Spouse, the Holy Spirit, enlightened you in this to the extent that was necessary for your participation. You had to be more in tune with the Trinity than any other human, given your holy role in the Incarnation and motherhood of God.

            Mary, you participated in Jesus’ actual passion and death. From what I have read, you felt within yourself what your Son was going through—and, I believe, for the total love of humanity. Horrific as it must have been, you willed Jesus’ passion and death, His great sacrifice, just as He willed it--for the salvation and redemption of our souls—of my soul.

            But what was the night before His passion and death like for you? I envision you spending a sleepless night in deep prayer and union with the Trinity. I envision you suffering the turmoil of your Son along with Him during His prayerful vigil in the garden. I also envision your Spouse, the Holy Spirit, comforting you or sending an angel also to comfort you, to keep you strong, and to help you totally accept the will of the Father. I envision a night of great stress, a night spent in great passion conjoined with that of your Son. You joined with your Son in a much more complete way than any other human mother could join with her sick, suffering child. Perhaps your prayer and suffering this night brought extra strength to your Son for the horrific ordeal that lay before Him.

            I imagine, but I cannot even closely imagine, what you endured that night. My most Blessed Mother, I do thank you immensely for your YES and for your conjoined sacrifices and passion out of total, complete love for us. I thank you immensely for your continued love and work for the redemption and salvation of souls. You truly are the most perfect, loving mother, given to us as our mother by our Son while He hung on the cross.

Thank you, my dear Mother Mary.

“Woman, behold the son!…Behold, your mother.” Jn. 19:26-27