Unvarnished Jesus: A Lenten JourneyEjemplo

Thursday, April 11

John 19:25–27

12th Station of the Cross: Jesus Gives His Mother to John

Even as Jesus is dying on the cross, His love and compassion reaches out to others as he commits His mother and John to a relationship of mutual care. This is a poignant picture of Jesus’ vision for His church — a community of faith, centered around our Lord and committed to caring for one another. I know the church doesn’t always live up to this vision, and I know it’s easy to be critical of the church, but still I hear Jesus say, “Behold, your mother.” And so my commitment to Jesus is expressed in devotion to the church, not as a cold institution, but as the kind of community where many people have their only real opportunity to find love, acceptance, and dignity. I believe in Jesus. And I believe in His church.