JUNE92025

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Doesn’t it seem kind of rude to address one’s mother as “woman!” But, as always, even on the cross Jesus was teaching us. To be a Jew was a matter of biology — you were born a Jew and as such were a member of the Chosen People. Jesus’ address to his mother shows that to be a member of the new people of God was not a matter of birth but of choice. It didn’t matter your nationality, heritage or language. If you make Jesus your choice you are a member of the Church. This gives the lie to those who claim that we can limit our circle of care to those who we are related to. In fact, we are all the children of God and thus have a relationship with everyone. That implies, in particular, that we must be sensitive to give extra care to those who are most vulnerable.