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Gospel Reading for May 25, 2026 – John 19: 25-34
GREAT CONTRIBUTION
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,“It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.
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Nothing is greater than the legacy that Jesus left for us—the kind of life he lived for us to follow so that we may attain true happiness, peace, and eternal life. Even while enduring extreme pain and suffering on the cross, Jesus gave us the legacy of a loving and faithful mother. He could have simply died without entrusting Mary to us, yet he desired that his mother would also become the mother of all Christians. In doing so, he also paid tribute to her GREAT CONTRIBUTION to God’s plan of salvation for all humankind.
Jesus says in Luke 8:21, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and carry it out.” This reveals the very heart of Mary’s identity. We, too, can be called relatives of Jesus if we strive to be like Mary—faithful in hearing God’s word and living it out.
Let us ponder on this song, O MARY, MOTHER OF LIFE –
You gave honour to the human race,
O Mary, our lady full of grace!
Your “yes” to God brought forth the birth
of Jesus, our Saviour bringing peace on earth.
You nursed him and clothed him,
protected him.
You gave the best a mother could give.
And when he had to suffer for our sins,
you suffered too and stood by him.
O Mary, dearest mother,
your children call to you.
Please guide us to Jesus,
and to him be always true.
Please gather your children
who strayed away from you.
O Mary, O Mary, our Mother of Life!
