ACC ~ John 19 v26
WHAT AN HONOR! CHRYSOSTOM: Jesus teaches us to show the utmost care for our parents even to our last breath. ⌠He commits her to the disciple whom he loved. Again, John modestly conceals himself. If he had wanted to boast, he would have also told us why he was loved since it was most likely some great and wonderful thing he had done. But why doesnât Jesus mention anything else or try to comfort him in his despondency? Because this was no time for comforting words. Besides, it was no small thing for him to be honored in such a way. ⌠And what an honor it was that Jesus gave to the disciple! He entrusts his mother to him to take care of her now that he himself was departing. It was likely that she would need protection in her grief and because she was his mother, and so Jesus entrusted her to the beloved. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 85.2-3. [1]
[1] NPNF 1 14:318**.
THE VIRGIN COMMENDED TO THE VIRGIN
BEDE: Beyond the others, Jesus loved the one who, being a virgin when chosen by him, remained forever a virgin. Now stories handed down say the [Christ] called [John] from his marriage ceremony when he wished to marry, and on that account he granted the more desirable sweetness of his own love to one whom he had withdrawn from fleshly pleasures. Accordingly, when [Christ] was about to die on the cross, he commended his mother to [John], so that virgin might watch over virgin, and when he himself ascended to heaven after his death and resurrection, a son would not be lacking to his mother, whose chaste life would be protected by his chaste services. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.9. [1]
[1] CS 110:87.
CHRISTâS GIFT OF HIMSELF IN JOHN AND US
ORIGEN: The Gospels are the firstfruits of all the Scriptures. But the firstfruits of the Gospels is the Gospel according to John whose meaning no one can understand who has not leaned on Jesusâ breast or received Mary from Jesus to be his mother also. But whoever wants to become another âJohnâ must also become such as John was. In other words, he must be shown to be Jesus, so to speak. For Mary had no son except Jesus (in accordance with those who hold a sound opinion of her). [1] But Jesus says to his mother, âBehold your son,â and not, âBehold, this man also is your son.â If this is so, then Jesus has in effect said, âBehold, this is Jesus whom you boreâ [when he presents John to her]. For indeed, everyone who has been perfected âno longer lives, but Christ lives in him.â [2] And, since âChrist livesâ in him [i.e., John], it is said of him to Mary, âBehold your son,â the Christ. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 1.23. [3]
[1] The perpetual virginity of Mary was the consensus of the ancient church, although the church today has not reached such consensus. A helpful discussion between Roman Catholics and Protestants on this issue is Raymond E. Brown, Mary in the New Testament: A Collaborative Assessment by Protestant and Roman Catholic Scholars (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1978). See also Istvan Benko, âThe Perpetual Virginity of the Mother of Jesus,â Lutheran Quarterly 16 (May 1964):147-63.
[2] See Gal 2:20.
[3] FC 80:38**; SC 120:70-72.
Jn