"When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." (John 19:26-27)

When I was a teenager, these Bible verses used to bother me. First, I thought Jesus was rude for calling Mary "Woman." Second, although I myself was a young person, I felt Jesus was not wise at all in choosing the youngest lad, John, to take care of his mother. Looking back, it seemed not only was I ignorant, I was also arrogant - part of my “teenage-know-it-all” syndrome. Fast forward to today, the verses have become my favorite, my spiritual food for prayer, my daily meditation.

The oneness of mind and heart between Mother and Son was perhaps best expressed at the foot of the cross. Jesus entrusted Mary to his beloved disciple and Mary accepted his act in silent trust. Mary understood Jesus wanted us to have the same union that He shared with his Mother. Who on earth can help us achieve this perfect union except Mary?!! A mother usually knows her children best. This is even more true of Mary, born without original sin. She is free of all the defects that clouds true vision . Mary, the new Eve, mother of all children born into God's family, knows my strengths and weaknesses, my virtues and vices, my desires and dislikes...In short, Mary knows me more than I know myself, and yet, she unconditionally loves me and guides me to her Son, my ultimate end. What have I done to deserve such a Mother? Nothing. Mary is the free, "perfect gift... from above, coming down from the Father" (James 1:17). Mary, the dynamic-living gift, patiently stands at the door of my heart. Like St. John, I need to open wide the doors of my heart and mind and welcome Mary into my life. With Mary and through Mary, I am in for the ride of my life, a ride of transformation into Christ.