At the Clergy In-service at Corpus Christi Seminary in September Sr Mary Coloe shared her wisdom and insight into the world of John’s gospel and the writer. I recall during my seminary studies that the gospel of John was one rich with signs and symbols. A gospel that was a little daunting to enter into. I also recall lecturers saying that the gospel of John had attracted wide and varied commentary over the years.
As the days have passed from Sr Mary’s profound sharing, I ask myself what remains, what do I take with me into parish life? I found Sr Mary’s teaching on chapter [19: 25 – 27] profoundly moving. While we read and hear the passage often somehow the words have taken hold through Sr Mary’s insight and skill in relaying the intention of the writer and movement of the Holy Spirit.
“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, woman this is your son. Then to the disciple he said, this is your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”[19:25 – 27]
Mary then drew a simple diagram to spell out clearly the relationship that we have been drawn into, “behold your son, son behold your mother”. Drawing the lines from this relationship between Mary and John the logical conclusion is that we are all sisters and brothers with Jesus. This point was further reinforced by Sr Mary who drew our attention to [20:17] “But go and find my brothers, and tell them I am ascending to my Father and your Father….”
From these verses Sr Mary helped us see more clearly that the disciples experienced themselves in an extraordinary relationship with Jesus. The message given to us is not about sin but about our becoming children of God.
Sr Mary’s insight, use of words and deep faith enabled us to see more clearly that we indeed are brothers and sisters in Christ. The text is not simply words on paper but a living word planted in our souls.
Article By Fr Brendan Hogan
Parish Priest, Our Lady Help of Christians, Narrewarren
