We are called to be firm in our faith

June 6, Monday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Daily Readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Gospel: John 19:25b-34

The reading from the book of Genesis says that after Adam had sinned, God called him, saying, "Where are you?" and the man replied, "I was naked, so I hid." Adam ate the forbidden fruit and hid. It was Eve who gave Adam something to eat, and likewise, it was the serpent who tempted Eve to eat. In the gospel of St. John, the mother of Jesus stood by the cross, and when Jesus saw his mother, he said to her, "Woman, behold your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!"

Man sinned against God, and as a result, God learned of their disobedience. The very fact that God is asking Adam, "Where are you?" means that he is not questioning the physical presence of Adam, but that he has broken the relationship with God and has gone further away from him. Adam had never hidden from God before. God never in the past had to ask Adam such a question. It does not mean that God did not know where Adam was. God wanted Adam to answer and be responsible for his actions. In the gospel, we find the mother of Jesus beside him at the foot of the cross, not only to see him but to hear him speak.

The gospel speaks of the other women who accompanied him to the cross. This shows their affection for Jesus. These weaker women testified to their faith in Jesus when his disciples deserted him. These good women standing by the cross of Christ may teach us to do as they did, look upon a crucified Christ, view his sorrow and sufferings.

We are called to be firm in our faith no matter what follows and the struggle we go through. Setting our eyes firmly on Jesus and his cross will strengthen our endeavor. We should look to Him for forgiveness, cleansing, and justification—in short, for the entirety of salvation—and we should weep as they did while looking at him, even shed tears of affection.