NEAR the cross of Jesus stood his mother…and the disciple, (John), 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. (John 19 vv25-27)

Close to death, Jesus entrusted the embryonic church, the body of believers, to the woman from whom, as God, he had taken his human body. Her task was to sustain the family of Apostles as they staggered under the trauma of seeing their Lord so brutally, and publicly, murdered. The significance of her task of holding them together is scarcely recognized in our time where many who claim to love Jesus, ignore the vital role of his blessed Mother.

The Virgin Mary is neither a mythical figure nor a mere symbol, but a real, living and active holy Mother whose continuing prayerful assistance of her spiritual children belongs to God’s plan. In giving her to John, Jesus gave her to the whole human race to love her, honour her and to seek her unfailing help.

This Sunday as we celebrate our mothers let’s keep our spiritual Mother in mind too. Sirach (Ch. 3v4), says, "Whoever honours a mother is like someone amassing a fortune. Whoever obeys the Lord makes a mother happy.’

So, go for it and make your mothers’ day.

Anthony Rumgay, Holy Trinity and St George, Kendal