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The final biblical reflection on discipleship
comes from John's presentation of the passion, John 19: 25-27.
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his
mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When
Jesus saw his mother [17] and the disciple there whom he loved, he said
to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple,
"Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his
home.
Central to the scene are Mary, the beloved
disciple and Jesus' charge to each of them.
Once again scholars have indicated that these
persons have symbolic value as does much of the John's gospel. Mary is
addressed again as Woman. Here she is the Woman who is to be welcomed and
loved by the beloved disciple. As we shall see in a moment, the beloved
disciple represents the entire community of the faithful in this Calvary
scene. The Woman addressed by Jesus has a principal place in this final
statement of Jesus and how the legacy of Jesus lives on. Mary will have a
prominent place in the kingdom of God. However, we may need to understand
that this is not a separation from the people of God, but because of her
connection and mission of caring for them and the place she has within God's
family, she is esteemed.
Once again scholars have indicated that these
persons have symbolic value as does much of the John's gospel. Mary is
addressed again as Woman.[18] Here she is the Woman who is to be welcomed
and loved by the beloved disciple. As we shall see in a moment, the beloved
disciple represents the entire community of the faithful in this Calvary
scene. The Woman addressed by Jesus has a principal place in this final
statement of Jesus and how the legacy of Jesus lives on. Mary will have a
prominent place in the kingdom of God. However, we may need to understand
that this is not a separation from the people of God, but because of her
connection and mission of caring for them and the place she has within God's
family, she is esteemed.
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