On the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, which recalls Mary's pain during her life, the pope especially recalled those moments at the foot of the Cross, saying that is where the Church was born.
POPE FRANCIS
“'Woman', says her Son, ‘behold your children'. He doesn’t say 'Mother,' he says 'Woman.' This strong and courageous woman was there to say: 'This is my Son. I do not deny Him.''
Pope Francis said that Mary was Jesus' first disciple and he advised Christians to stop and contemplate this particular scene of the Gospel.
EXTRACTS OF THE POPE'S HOMILY IN ENGLISH
(Source: Vatican Radio)
'We need to contemplate the Mother of Jesus. We need to contemplate this sign of contradiction, because Jesus is victorious, but upon the Cross. This is a contradiction that we can’t understand. It takes faith to understand it, at least to come close (to understanding) this mystery.
Mary knew and lived her whole life with a pierced heart. She followed Jesus and heard the people’s comments, sometimes for Him, sometimes against. But she was always right behind her Son. That’s why we call her the first disciple. It was Mary’s concern that brought about this “sign of contradiction” in her heart. She was there at the end, in silence, at the foot of the Cross, watching her Son. Perhaps she heard comments like: “Look, there’s the Mother of one of the three criminals”. But, she showed her face for her Son.
In this moment, beneath the Cross, Mary gave birth to the Church and to all of us: 'Woman', says her Son, ‘behold your children'. He doesn’t say 'Mother', he says 'Woman'. This strong and courageous woman was there to say: 'This is my Son. I do not deny Him.'
More than a call to reflection, today’s Gospel is a call to contemplation. May the Holy Spirit be the one to tell each one of us that which we need (to hear).'
