11th Day - At the Cross

40 DAYS AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS

DAY ELEVEN – LIVING IN EXILE

[B]ehold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. Matthew 2:13-14

As our Blessed Mother stood before the Cross of her Son, she would have recalled her flight into Egypt with Saint Joseph. They fled so as to protect Jesus from the brutality of Herod. But now that brutality had caught up with Him.

Perhaps Mother Mary wondered what Saint Joseph would have done this day if he were present. Would he have saved Jesus again by fleeing from Jerusalem? Would he have protected her Son from the evil that had befallen Him?

As she pondered these things, Mother Mary would have embraced the mystery of this suffering with full acceptance. They fled from Herod long ago because that was not His time. That was not the time for Jesus to give His life for the salvation of the world. But now His hour had come. Now all she could do was to stand in faith and trust as she was face to face with the great mystery of suffering.

In each of our lives there are moments to flee from suffering and pain and there are moments to embrace them. In some situations, God will protect us. In others He will invite us to fully embrace the cross we have been given.

As we gaze upon the Cross with Mother Mary, we should be aware of the perfect timing of the will of God. Jesus did not suffer before His time. The Father in Heaven protected Him from evil men until it was His moment of glory. This was His day. This was His hour. This was His moment to embrace sin and death.

Reflect, today, upon the timing of God in your own life. What is God calling you to embrace today? What cross is being given to you today? If the time is right and the day for your own cross has come, do not hesitate to embrace it. Do not look for a way out or for a place to escape. Face the Cross with Jesus and our Blessed Mother and know that you do so with their strength and support.

Dearest Mother, you were called to protect your Son throughout His life. You were called to be vigilant in your motherly care. Be my mother, this day, and cover me with your mantle of love. Free me from evil when God so wills it and always protect me from sin.

My Mother, when the time of my own suffering and cross arrives, help me to say “Yes” to that cross with confidence, knowing that you are standing right beside me. 

My precious Lord, I know that You will always protect me from the evil one. Give me the grace to endure his malice and to do so with confidence and hope. May I keep my eyes upon You and Your glorious throne of the Cross. I love You, dear Lord. Help me to follow Your perfect example.

Mother Mary, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.