The height of solicitude

Tuesday April 6, 2021

The height of solicitude

“Jesus saw His mother and, with her, the disciple whom He loved. He said to His mother : "Woman, here is your son". Then He said to the disciple : “Here is your mother.” From that moment the disciple took her to his home. ” John 19. 26

From the cross where He is dying, Jesus locates His mother. Immediately, He called out to John, also present, the faithful disciple whom He loved, to entrust Mary to him. There is, in this gesture, an immeasurable concern. In fact, what suffering for a mother to see her son die, and under such conditions ! Jesus' desire is for John to take his mother far away, to spare her this terrible spectacle. “Immediately John took her into his house.” The attitude of Jesus, in the midst of the personal drama, horribly painful physically and psychologically, is still remarkable. The one who suffers is often angry with the whole world and is unable to grasp the suffering of others. He is the epicenter of himself, and outraged because no one can feel what he is feeling. Now, Jesus silences His sufferings in order to care for those of others. Friends go to visit the sick Job to try to relieve him, but here it is Job visiting his friends ; it is Jesus the tortured who comes to the aid of those who are witnesses of His torture. Patients sometimes admit that in addition to having to bear their own ailments, they also have to bear the grief of those around them, feeling guilty for causing suffering by imposing their suffering. What Jesus testifies over and over again is concern for others, which is always greater than His own pains. It will be very difficult for us, in the midst of the turmoil, to have consideration and care for others ; we are often and naturally selfish, all the more so when we are in pain ! That is why we must be surprised, to the point of ecstasy, by the admirable and loving attitude of Jesus. What a wonderful Lord He is to us !

Source (His Word for Today)