Reflections from the Heart – November 7, 2021

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“She, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” The word “behold” signifies an action whereby one draws all their energy and their attention, to see, really see without distortion or distraction that which our undivided attention has been requested to gaze upon; without judgment, comment, or rush. Jesus asks us to behold Mary. What do you see when you set your gaze upon Mary? Do you, “behold, your mother” or do you only see the mother of Jesus? To behold Mary, is to have a personal, intimate relationship with her.  That is, to understand that Mary is truly the Mother of Jesus and your beloved mother, the Mother of God. We must realize, accept and rejoice in the fact that we are beloved sons and daughters of God, our Father and beloved sons and daughters of Mary, our mother. Jesus loves his mother with a great and perfect affection and Mary loves her son with her whole undivided heart, with her whole undivided body, with her whole undivided mind, with her whole undivided soul. Mary loves Jesus in her lowliness and in her joyfulness, in her poverty and in her holiness, with all her heart and with all her strength. She loves Jesus with her entire being. It is a mother’s perfect love for God and for her child. Jesus loves Mary as he loves us.  That is, to the point of death, death on a cross. Jesus’ concern at the foot of the Cross is that his mother would be loved and looked after. Jesus wants you to behold, your mother, Mary. Will you spend some time in prayer with her this week at the foot of the Cross to comfort her in her great sorrow? Imagine how Mary feels at the foot of the Cross seeing her poor child, innocent of the crimes he was accused of, rejected for believing in God, mocked with unspeakable blasphemies, beaten to the point of being unrecognizable, murdered by excruciating pain and torture, then dying on a cross. Mary could use some comfort. Mary could use your undivided attention, a commitment to prayer and your loving presence. It would bring great consolation to our Mother Mary. It would bring great comfort to our Beloved Savior. Know that when Mary is asked to behold her child, she draws all her attention to you; she draws all the attention of her Son to you. Mary loves you. You are her beloved child. So behold your mother for she has already set her gaze upon you.