His Mother, Our Mother

To believe that the Virgin Mary is "the mother of Jesus" is the foundation of our faith that she is our mother as well. "Behold your mother", Jesus said to His beloved disciple (John 19:27). Notice the movement of the utterance. It is Jesus Who presents Mary as a mother to His disciple, or to His disciples in all generations. This reveals what He cares for us to know about our relationship with Mary. Under her care, we become part of "His household". Mary does not come of her own self, but as an offering. Our accepting her as a mother, or our entering into this relationship with her, reveals, indisputably, that our relationship with her is the fruit of our obedience to Jesus. Apart from this obedience, Mary cannot be discovered. Mary has an only son. Those who claim that she has children of her own lineage other than Him, cannot comprehend that she is an offering, meaning that the utmost significance of the phrase "behold your mother" is that she helps us become like Jesus, her Son. This reveals God's purpose in our creation. Mary is here to assist us in reclaiming the image upon which we were created.