THE FIFTH SORROW OF MARY: The Crucifixion

And carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull in Hebrew—Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle.

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.

—John 19:17‒18, 25‒30

Mary, mother and disciple

Was this a hopeless moment for Mary? Did she feel like God had abandoned her? In Mary, we see a woman who is present to suffering until the very end. We see a woman who, though hurting, does not fail to reach out to others in their suffering.

Jesus, through Mary, invites us to reflect on the importance of community, even in moments of great darkness.

Questions to Guide Your Reflection:

1. Do I make myself available to others, even if I am suffering?
2. What role can my community play in moments of challenge and suffering?