The Via Dolorosa
The Three Marys  – Station 11, cont.

The name Mary is ubiquitous in the gospel accounts. We met, a few chapters ago, Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. At the cross we find a trifecta of Marys: Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ~John 19:25 We’re all familiar with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The best guess for Mary, the wife of Clopas, is that she was married to Joseph’s brother, thus being a sister-in law to Mary and therefore Jesus’ aunt. And then we have Mary Magdalene. She is prominent throughout the gospels with 12 mentions – more so than even the apostles. The Scriptures hint at a rather ignoble past: Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out… ~Luke 8:1,2  To acquire seven demons would suggest she had once welcomed and cooperated with evil in a very direct way. She had been trapped. Jesus had set her free.

And now as Jesus looks down, very near to him are the familiar faces of the three Marys. It is a heart-rending moment. But his gaze rests upon one, the holy mother. She is still relatively young, just fifteen years or more older than her son. She had been chosen from a host of adolescent, hopeful virgins throughout the long march of Jewish history to bear the Messiah. Even at death’s door, Jesus’ heart is filled with  love, honor and concern for his mom. Standing amidst the three Marys is the author we’ve been following these past few months – John the beloved: 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 In the midst of his suffering, Jesus arranged an adoption.

The great multitudes that had once thrilled to Jesus’ preaching and miracles were winnowed down to these four. There were no doubt a handful of other followers scattered about, but these four were the ones who followed Jesus to the very foot of the cross.

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Extra: The following is a beautiful Irish hymn entitled: Caoineadh na dTrí Muire: or, The Lament of the Three Marys. It is sung in Gaelic but I’ve supplied the English translation so you can  follow along. Enjoy!  Click here 
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Caoineadh na dTrí Muire

O Peter, apostle, have you seen my love so bright? “Alas and woe to me” I saw him in the midst of his enemies tonight. “Alas and woe to me” Come to me you two Marys and mourne with me. Alas and woe to me! What have we to mourne without his bones? Alas and woe to me!
 
Who is that fine man upon the passion tree? Alas and woe to me! It is your son, O Mother, don’t you recognize me? Alas and woe to me! Is that the wee babe I borne nine months in my womb? Alas and woe to me! That was born in a stable when no one would give us room? Alas and woe to me!
 
Is that the wee Son that was nourished at Mary’s breast?  Alas and woe to me! Listen, mother, and do not be sorrowful. Alas and woe to me! And is that the hammer that drove the nails through You? Alas and woe to me! Or is that the spear that pierced Your pure heart through? Alas and woe to me!