Today Pope Benedict XVI became the first Pontiff to appear on an Italian television program titled In His Image with a questions/answer format, responding to seven questions from around the world.

The final question in the television interview follows: “At the cross we witness a poignant dialogue between Jesus and his mother in which Jesus says to Mary: ‘Behold your son,’ and to John, ‘Behold your mother.’ In your latest book, Jesus of Nazareth, you define it as ‘Jesus’ final provision.’ How are we to understand these words? What meaning did they have at that moment and what do they mean today? And, on the subject of entrusting, do you intend to renew a consecration to the Virgin at the beginning of this new millennium?”

The Pontiff replies, “…We see Jesus as a true man who makes a human act, an act of love for His mother, entrusting the mother to the young John so that she might be safe. A woman living alone in the East at that time was an impossible situation. He entrusts his mother to this young man and to this young man he gives his mother, therefore Jesus actually acts as a human with a deeply human sentiment. This seems very beautiful to me, very important, that before any theology we see in this act the true humanity of Jesus, his true humanism.” He goes on to say, “…In John, Jesus entrusts all of us, the whole Church, all future disciples, to His mother and His mother to us. In this the course of history is fulfilled. More and more, humanity and Christians have understood that the mother of Jesus is their mother and more and more they have entrusted themselves to the Mother… And even some who have difficulty reaching Jesus in his greatness, the Son of God, entrust themselves without difficulty to the Mother….We see how we can all be grateful because there is truly a Mother; we have all been given a mother…at the moment, I do not intend to make a new act of public entrustment, but I would rather invite you to enter into this entrustment that has already been made, so that we might truly live it every day, and thus that a truly Marian Church might grow, a Church that is Mother, Bride, and Daughter of Jesus.”

We all have a mother. The mother of Jesus is our mother. I rejoice in that every day. But let me repeat a statement from the Pope that stood out for me among all the others: “And even some who have difficulty reaching Jesus in his greatness, the Son of God, entrust themselves without difficulty to the Mother.”

That’s me. Benedict XVI saw into my heart and recognized one of the issues which challenges me most. The full mystery of Christ is beyond my grasp. “Who do you say I am?” My answer could vary from hour to hour. Son of God? Son of Man? God incarnate? Resurrected Redeemer? How can I, with my human limitations, come close to approaching or comprehending any of those?

I come first through his Mother. He had a Mother. She is my Mother. When His mysteries elude me, I know She patiently holds me in love and light as I strive to comprehend more.

When we pray the Rosary, the fruit of the Second Luminous Mystery, the wedding at Cana, is intended to bring us closer to Jesus through Mary. I meditate on that mystery frequently, asking my Mother to open my eyes and my heart.

The Pontiff urges us to “…enter into this entrustment that has already been made, so that we might truly live it every day, and thus that a truly Marian Church might grow, a Church that is Mother, Bride, and Daughter of Jesus.”

A truly Marian Church. Now that’s a statement from Rome that I can embrace and endorse.

Wishing you a space for grace in your life today,

Kate