John 19:25-34 NRSVue
25And that is what the soldiers did.
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
28After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” 29A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the Sabbath, especially because that Sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. 32Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.
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Reflection on John 19:25-34
Inspiration from 2025-06-09 Daily Prayer
The man who had great wealth found sadness in his wealth. Somehow, the Lord’s invitation to give away and to share threatened him badly. Jesus knows the way possessions, wealth and comforts can tie us down. He knows that his compassion makes up for much human weakness. We offer to the Lord in prayer all we are and all we have, asking for help in using wisely what we possess and living easily without what we might like to possess but cannot.
Our role in life is to sow seeds and not to be preoccupied with producing a harvest. The seed given to us is the word of God that serves to bring about a Kingdom of justice, love and peace. We have a contribution to make, although it may seem small. We have to begin somewhere, perhaps with a small initiative.
Further reflection
As I find myself at the foot of the Cross how am I? Can I see Him dying out of love, out of ‘utter solidarity with us humans and not judgement?
At Eucharist the priest says “this is my body broken for you’, can I see Jesus’s love being the driving force behind and through His entire life on this planet? Do I hear the call to be like Him? To give my ‘body’, my whole self in loving service?
As I look back over my life can I recall times when I have been called to ‘give’ in love and been able to do so? Any times when I have not been able to give myself in love? And what was that like and the fallout from it?
Can I BE there with Jesus in loving presence with him?