NBVM Novena Day 9: Mary—A Precious Gift of Grace at the Foot of the Cross
In one of the most poignant moments of the crucifixion, Jesus uttered what are known as the “Last Seven Words.” Among them, He addressed His mother Mary and the Apostle John, saying, “Woman, behold your son,” and to John, “Behold your mother.” “This scene clarifies the origins of how Mary comes to become our mother,” said Rev Deacon Dave Kameron, preacher for the 9th day of Novena.
That moment at the foot of the cross wasn’t just a personal exchange with John but a profound message for all believers. By entrusting His mother to John, the sole apostle present at the cross, Jesus also gave Mary to all of us as our spiritual mother. John represented the future Church, and in that moment, Mary became the mother of all believers.
Some might question why Jesus addressed Mary as “woman.” Far from being disrespectful, this term carried deep significance. In the Old Testament, “woman” referred to Eve, the mother of all humanity. By using the same term, Jesus was signalling that Mary is the new Eve, the mother of all who follow Christ.
The Beloved
In the Gospel of John, we notice St John referring to himself as the “beloved disciple”. There have been many suggestions as to why this is. Among them, some theologians suggest that this was because Mary was the true beloved of Jesus, and when John accepted Mary as his mother, he too became Jesus’ beloved. In the same way, when we take Mary into our hearts, we too become beloved disciples of Christ.
“There are many of you here who have a deep devotion to Mary,” said Deacon Dave. “To you, I say that you too are Jesus’ beloved disciple because you too have taken her home and honour her as your mother.”
He went on to share a personal experience—a time of profound grief after losing a close friend to cancer—where he was in a very dark place as he could not understand why God allowed a good person to die. It was in turning to Mary for comfort that brought him light in a time of darkness.
Mary has a unique ability to lead us back to Jesus, no matter how lost or broken we may feel. One of the titles given her is “Our Lady of Sorrows,” acknowledging her own experiences of suffering and her ability to empathise with human pain. She the guiding figure who leads us back to Jesus.
Honouring Mary is not Idolatory
It’s important to recognise that honouring Mary is not about placing her above God. Instead, it’s about acknowledging her role in leading us to Christ. Recounting back the day’s Gospel reading (Mark 7:31–37), Deacon Dave explained further. In the Gospel account, Jesus heals a deaf and mute man in the region of Decapolis in a manner that he does not usually use. With dramatic gestures where he puts his fingers into the man’s ears, uses his spit to touch his tongue, and eventually looking up to heaven and saying “Eph’phatha,” he heals the man of his impediments.
Jesus does this because he knew the man’s needs. The man was deaf and mute and therefore needed these actions to understand what was taking place. Similarly, Jesus gave us Mary, knowing our human need for a maternal figure. In His final act of love, Jesus intentionally gave us His own mother to be ours as well. When we honour Mary, we are doing exactly what Jesus has asked us to do. As St Maximilian Kolbe tells us, “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”
Finding Solace in Mary
For those who may have lost their earthly mothers or are separated from loved ones, Mary is there to fill that void. The power of Mary’s intercession is profound. “There is not a family that prays the Rosary together that I know has broken up,” said Deacon Dave.
If you are struggling, missing your mother, or facing challenges that seem too difficult to bear, turn to Mary. She knows the pain of confusion, fear, and uncertainty—just as she did when she learnt she would carry the Son of God. She will guide you back to Jesus, bringing light to even the darkest places. She is not just the mother of the living, but also of the departed, interceding for souls in purgatory. She is the Queen of Heaven and Earth; even Satan fears Mary as his ultimate defeat will come from her (Genesis 3:15).
Embracing Mary as Our Mother
In concluding his sermon, Deacon Dave recapped the scene at the cross. In his final moments, Jesus did not say, “Behold my mother,” but rather, “Behold your mother.” This declaration invites us to embrace Mary as our own mother. By taking her into our hearts and homes, we can experience the profound love and guidance she offers. Whether we are facing personal hardships, family struggles, or spiritual challenges, Mary stands ready to support and lead us back to her son, Jesus.
In embracing Mary as our mother, we accept a precious gift from Jesus, one that offers comfort, guidance, and a deeper connection to our faith. Let us open our hearts to her maternal care and allow her to lead us closer to Christ. Make the decision today to take Mary back to your home, your heart, and your life.