The gospel for the memorial of the blessed Virgin Mary is taken from John 19th, chapter 25th to the 34th verse. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clophas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciples there with 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. After this, aware that everything was now finished in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, I thirst.

There was a vessel filled with common wine. So he put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, it is finished. And bowing his head, he handed over his spirit. Now, since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the Sabbath. For the Sabbath day of the week was a solemn one.

The Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead. They did not break his legs, but one of the soldiers thrust his lance into his side and. And immediately blood and water flowed out. The horrible image of the crucifixion of Jesus is filled with hope.

We’re learning something about sin, about what it does, what it can do. And yet, even though evil thinks it can destroy that which is true, that which is good, it can’t. And I love the image of Jesus in this passage, saying so clearly. I have come into the world so that I could fulfill everything that was planned for me, that was predicted for me. And when he did that, he could say, now I know I am finished. But he no sooner says that he is finished than his chest is broken open and outpours life, cleansing water, lifeblood.

It’s an image we have to hold within us, knowing that this is what we’ve received and this is what gives us hope. Foreign from the stories that you have given us, God, of your Son, who represents who you are to us. We’ve been given example after example what it means to follow you. But the beauty of what we are promised overshadows the struggles of our living in this world as you call us to. And we are filled with this image of life. Giving blood and purifying water keep us in this hope that all the sufferings that we might encounter are opportunities for growth.

And we ask this in Jesus name, amen.