Jesus with His Mom

John 19:23-27

1

When considering the life of Jesus on earth, our initial thought is often that He was superhuman even before birth, without giving due consideration to His infancy and childhood. It’s easy to rush past that part of the story, but today, especially on Mother’s Day, we are invited to slow down and reflect on something sacred in a different way. Pregnancy itself is a miracle. In Psalm 139, we read: “For [God] created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13–14). For those who believe life comes from God, life doesn’t begin as an accident – it begins as a gift, a mystery woven by the hands of God. If you cannot consider your life this way, you must admit that you are not fully seeing through Christian eyes. And that truth applies not only to us – but even to Jesus. The Savior of the world entered this life in the same vulnerable way we all do: through a mother. Mary’s “yes” to the angel Gabriel’s unbelievable prophecy was the doorway through which Jesus the Savior entered the world. Her womb became a holy place. Her pregnancy wasn’t just a biological process – it was a miracle. Today, as we remember that miracle, we honor Mary, the prototype of all mothers in the world. In her, we glimpse the strength, love, and devotion that so many mothers embody through quiet faithfulness every day.

2

In our world today, we are witnessing something both new and concerning: the quiet disappearance of birth. Across the globe, countries are reporting record-low birth rates. Children are becoming rarer. Nurseries are emptier. Schools are closing. Families are shrinking – not always by choice, but often because the world makes it harder to say “yes” to life. Low birth rates occur when, on average, each woman has fewer than 2.1 children – the replacement level needed to keep a population stable. Many countries now fall well below this level: South Korea (0.7, the lowest in the world), Japan (1.3), Italy and Spain (1.2–1.3), China (1.2), and the U.S. (1.6). This trend impacts economies and communities – but more deeply, it reveals a cultural shift. Pregnancy is no longer widely seen as a miracle. It is often viewed as a risk, a burden, or a problem to avoid. In doing so, we have separated sexual pleasure from its life-giving purpose. Intimacy is celebrated, but the miracle it was meant to bring forth is sometimes feared or dismissed. This is not meant to shame anyone, as many face real fears when saying “yes” to life – economic pressure, health concerns, and a lack of support for raising children. But it raises a deeper question: What happens when we lose reverence for the miracle of life? Mary said “yes” to life, even knowing its chaotic consequences, and carried her child in her heart—feeding, teaching, worrying, and remaining beside Him from His first breath to His last.

3

From the moment the angel appeared to Mary (Luke 1:26-38), she understood her child’s life was different from others. Yet she didn’t try to control Jesus’ life or dictate His path. Instead, Mary nurtured Him with patience, tenderness, and quiet faith. She shared her joy with Elizabeth, marveling at God’s plan (Luke 1:39-56). She didn’t try to shape Jesus’ destiny – she simply walked humbly with Him, supporting His calling. When Simeon prophesied that Jesus would cause the rise and fall of many (Luke 2:25-35), Mary didn’t rush to intervene – she pondered these things in her heart. Similarly, when twelve-year-old Jesus stayed behind in the temple (Luke 2:41–51), she didn’t scold Him. Instead, she trusted Him, treasuring the moment and allowing Him to grow at His own pace. At the wedding in Cana (John 2:1–11), when the wine ran out, Mary didn’t pressure Jesus to act. She simply said, “Do whatever He tells you,” quietly trusting in His timing. Her love was not about control – it was about believing in Him and creating space for Him to step into His calling. Mary did not mold Jesus into the Savior. Instead, she created the environment where He could discover it. Her care was marked by gentle encouragement, faithful presence, and unwavering belief. Through her, we see that true love is not about commanding or controlling, but about nurturing, guiding, believing and trusting in the potential God has placed in another.

4

In Mark 3:31–35, Jesus seems to distance Himself from His biological family. When told His mother and brothers are outside, He responds, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” Then, looking at the crowd, He says, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister, and mother.” This might sound like rejection, but it carries a deeper truth. Jesus wasn’t turning away from His family – He was redefining family to include all who seek God. Later, in John 19:25–27, as Jesus hangs on the cross, we witness a different moment. He looks down, sees His mother standing there, and says to her, “Woman, here is your son,” then to the beloved disciple, “Here is your mother.” Even in His final moments, Jesus does not forget Mary. He honors her, cares for her, and entrusts her to someone He trusts. These two moments are not contradictions but rather reflections of Jesus’ mature heart – one that envisions a Kingdom where all belong, yet never loses sight of the particular love that raised Him. That vision was shaped daily by Mary, who loved without controlling, guided without demanding, and gave without holding back. Mary was the foundation from which Jesus could leap from the deeply human to the beautifully divine. Because He was loved well, He could love the world boldly. And because He knew the intimacy of family, He could imagine a Kingdom where all are welcomed, accepted, and cared for as family. As we reflect on Mary’s role, we are reminded of the profound impact mothers have on our lives – shaping, nurturing, and guiding us in ways that last forever.

Prayer

Gracious God, we give You thanks for the sacred gift of motherhood and for the beautiful example of Mary, who bore Jesus with courage, raised Him with love, and released Him with trust. As we reflect on the miracle of life and the mystery of Your Son’s incarnation, may we never lose sight of the holiness woven into the ordinary. Teach us to honor those who have nurtured us, to support those who say "yes" to life amid uncertainty, and to treasure the family of faith You’ve given us. Let the love that shaped Jesus through Mary also shape us – with gentleness, strength, and unwavering faith. Help us to see with Christian eyes, to believe in the miracle of every life, and to live as a family that does Your will. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.