Share the language of Jesus

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Since 1844, Our Lady Help of Christians has been the patroness of Australia and New Zealand. But since Peter Chanel was declared a saint in 1954 after being martyed in the Pacific Island of Futuna, he was named Patron of Oceania and Aotearoa. But that does not mean that our devotion to Mary has been lessened. In today's gospel from John 19 we hear how Jesus on the cross looked down and saw his mother and the disciple John. To Mary he said, ''This is your son.'' John represents all of us and we rejoice that Jesus urges us to take Mary as our mother and protector. In the first reading Paul says that the language of the cross is illogical. So what is the language of the cross? Yesterday as we celebrated Pentecost we saw how the Holy Spirit filled the Apostles with enthusiasm to preach the good news of the death and resurrection of Jesus. All the visitors in Jerusalem understood their words in their own language. We too are called to share the language of Jesus with others. He speaks to us in the new language of love. Today there is so much falsehood and misinformation in the world, and the desire for power and domination on the part of merciless leaders. Millions of people just want to see the words of Jesus, peace, love and justice become a reality in their lives. God's foolishness of saving us through death on a cross is the greatest sign that we have received of the love of the Father and his Son for us. May the Holy Spirit help us to witness to that love by living it more fully in our lives. Holy Mary, pray for us and all those who do not experience love in their lives.

 

Don Hornsey