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"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His Mother" (John xix. 25). The holy Virgin is only mentioned once again in the Gospels up to the hour of her Son's death; and here she is spoken of only by the beloved disciple, who beyond all others, had a deep insight into divine mysteries. Every circumstance here has a special significance. We must not see in this merely the mother overwhelmed by human feeling, and showing a superb fidelity, patience and love. Ordinary maternal instinct would either have kept her aloof from the fearful tragedy, or would have shown itself in excitement, and fainting and tears. But Mary "stood by the cross," silent, outwardly impassive, as fulfilling a part providentially appointed to her in this mystery. She alone knew what was really taking place. To others, the Crucifixion was, variously, either the execution of a disturber of the peace, or the martyrdom of a holy prophet, the triumph of wickedness in high places, the natural failure of another noble enterprise. They had no more spiritual understanding than the ox and the ass in the stable at Bethlehem. Mary alone recognized that the sufferer was God, and that this was the accomplishment of the divine plan for the redemption of mankind. Place yourself beneath the cross with her. Ask for spiritual intelligence of all the mysteries of Providence, so that you may see God acting therein, and that you be not like those who have eyes and see not.
