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Mother and child

“…He is your son…She is your mother…” - John 19:26-27

One of the most controversial bills introduced in Congress in recent years was about the right of a child to divorce his or her own parents. We have not yet seen a bill like this in the history of Philippine jurisprudence. According to the proponent, he thought of this bill because of the continuing proliferation of children being victimized or maltreated by their own parents or relatives. Truly, child abuse in our society today is quite alarming. That is why programs like Bantay Bata (Child Protection) have been organized to protect children from their own parents or relatives who are abusing them, instead of loving and caring for them.

According to John’s Gospel, when Jesus was hanging on the cross he saw his mother and the Beloved Disciple beside her. And then he said to his mother, “He is your son.” Then, he said to the Disciple, “She is your mother.” And from then on the Disciple took her to live in his home (Jn. 19:26-27). These words that Jesus had spoken at that moment were regarded by tradition later on as the Third of the Seven Words of Jesus on the Cross.

These words remind us, first of all, about the depth of relationship between the mother and the child. This is one of the most important kind of relationship among human beings. And this has been shown many times by artists in their paintings, like the world famous Madonna and Child by Michelangelo, and celebrated in songs, like the song entitled Anak by Freddie Aguilar. If we talk about love, caring, and compassion, perhaps no one could ever surpass that of the mother-child relationship.

It is significant to note that the words of Jesus on mother-child relationships were among his last words on the cross. In our culture, the last words of a dying person are very precious. These are the words that those who would be left behind should listen to. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why the seven last words of Jesus on the cross are very important for us Filipinos. For we do believe that these words are really precious to our own lives.

The presence of Jesus’ mother at the foot of his cross where he was suffering shows us what it means to be a true mother. The genuineness of a mother is proven in times of sufferings and crisis in life. Perhaps, a home may be divided because of problems and misunderstandings. But nevertheless, let the warmth of a mother’s love remain.

I do believe that God has blessed every mother the special ability to endure in times of trials, hardships and difficulties. There is a saying which says, “God cannot be present everywhere that’s why He created mothers.” Inside the home, the mother is the symbol of strength, courage, and patience to face whatever difficulties in life. If a home doesn’t have the faith and patience of a mother, I do believe that such a home may not be successful at all.

There is a story recorded in the Scriptures about a mother from Canaan (Mt. 15:21-28). He came to Jesus onetime crying and saying, “Son of David! Have mercy on me, sir! My daughter has a demon and is in a terrible condition.” But Jesus did not say a word to her. His disciples came to him and begged him, “Send her away! She is following us and making all this noise!” Then, Jesus replied, I have been sent only to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.” But the woman knelt before him and cried, “Help me, sir!” And Jesus answered, “It isn’t right to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But the woman answered, “That’s true, sir, but even the dogs eat the leftovers that fall from their masters’ table.” And so, Jesus said to her, “You are a woman of great faith! What you want will be done for you.” And at that very moment, her daughter was healed.

Let us try to examine the cries of this Canaanite mother. Let us listen to what she was crying for, “Son of David! Have mercy on me, sir! My daughter has a demon and is in terrible condition.” Is this not the same cries we are hearing each day from today’s mothers? Are they not also crying for mercy, like this Canaanite mother? That their children would not be victims of child abuse - a demonic force in our present time?

Are the mothers of today not also crying out to the church - the body of Christ, the Son of David for the present time - to help save their children from the demonic forces reigning in our land?

We could see that the response of the disciples of Jesus was to send the Canaanite mother away because she had been making a lot of noise. Sometimes the church is also responding in this manner. Sometimes the church would say of those who are crying for help that they are only making a lot of noise!

But nevertheless, the Canaanite mother did not lose hope. The compassionate love of a mother would never be discouraged even if she would be put to shame. Even if they would send her away like a dog, Still this Canaanite mother would say that she had been prepared to eat even the leftovers that fall from the table, like a dog.

Jesus saw in this Canaanite mother a faith that was so great. And this was the kind of faith that healed her daughter. Without compassion, there is no genuine faith. Because of the compassionate love of this Canaanite mother for her own daughter, she was made to believe in Jesus Christ.

If we believe in God because of our compassionate love for people, then such faith will bear fruits of blessings and fulfillment. If we share our faith through acts of mercy and compassion, then that faith will, indeed, touch the heart of the living and compassionate God.

The main point of the Third Words of Jesus on the Cross is the fact that the Mother and Child whom Jesus is referring to are no other than you and me. There are two parts of the message of Jesus for us: One part is for the mothers or parents, and the other is for the children. To the mothers or parents of today, Jesus is saying to them, “Here are your children!” And to the children, Jesus is also saying, “Here are your mothers!”

Through these words, Jesus would like to remind us that as parents we must care for our children; and as children we must love and respect our mothers or parents. Perhaps the law that provides children the right to divorce their parents may prevent child abuse. But it may not be able to answer the main problem in the relationship between the mother and the child, between parents and children. The compassionate love that binds together the mother and the child, parents and children can not be legislated. This will spring freely out of the depths of our hearts as we offer our lives to God in faith and trust, the God who has shown his compassionate for us in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. This love may be ours as we come to realize that though we are sinners Christ died for us, and therefore we should also love our fellow human beings as Christ loved us.

As parents or mothers and children, may we experience and realize this Holy Week the compassionate love of God in Christ Jesus which is meant for all of us. And may the blessings of God be with us all. Amen. #

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