What does it mean to be Mary at the foot of the Cross?
By Sofia S., on mission in Argentina
This question has started to arise very frequently for me. As I look for an answer, I’ve discovered that it cannot be found within myself, but rather in those that are around me; I meet Christ in the friends that I encounter.
Mrs. Cristina is a very kind, elderly woman in her 70´s who is always giving of her time to the needs of those around her. One day we found her walking home from work. She welcomed us to her home with so much joy and hospitality that I felt the same warmth as when entering my own grandmother’s home.
As she prepared us cookies and we all sat down to drink tea, she began to open her heart to us. Mrs. Cristina told us that she took care of her parents in her home until the day they passed. Two of her sons have passed, the youngest at the age of 3 due to being hit by a train and the next son at the age of 30 because of health reasons. Her third son, thankfully, is a recovering drug addict. However, he left the country for his rehabilitation when he was 19 and has been living in Europe since. As she shared her heart with us, tears ran down her face. Yet she looked at us and said, “In the end, I am the one who ended up alone. But I will never ask God why, why all these things have happened to me. I will only continue to love Him more and more.”
I found Mary at the foot of the cross through Mrs. Cristina. In these life situations of much suffering, where the solution or explanation isn’t tangible, she explicitly told us all we can do is love. All that remains is faith and love. This left me in awe of the mystery of Mary at the foot of the cross. Mrs. Cristina sharing her suffering and heart with us was a gift. She radiates peace and kindness despite her suffering – much like I imagine Mary would if she were standing in front of me.