handing over
Jesus “handed over…” —John 19:30, RNAB
Jesus handed over His Church, personified by the beloved disciple, to Mary (Jn 19:26). Then He handed over His mother to the beloved disciple, that is, to us, the members of the Church (Jn 19:27). “Jesus, realizing that everything was now finished…said, ‘I am thirsty’ ” (Jn 19:28). He could truly say, “It is finished” and hand over His spirit to the Father (Jn 19:30). Now our part begins.
Jesus told a parable about how to respond when something of great value is handed over to us. “A man who was going on a journey…handed his funds over to” his servants (Mt 25:14). The Master expected His servants to use what had been handed over to them prudently and faithfully. The servants labored to increase the return of their Master’s investment. When the Master returned, the servants handed back the fruits of their service to Him (Lk 19:16-17), but one had no fruit to hand over to the Master (Lk 19:20).
Yesterday, at Pentecost, we read that Jesus tells us: “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22). Today, we read that Jesus thirsts (Jn 19:28). Will we quench His thirst by receiving all that He has handed over to us? Will we receive the Holy Spirit and the spouse of the Spirit, Mary, Mother of the Church?
Prayer: Jesus, Head of the Church, I long to receive anything You hand over to me. Help me to be worthy of Your trust by bearing lasting fruit for You.
Promise: “Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer.” —Acts 1:14
Praise: Alice experienced a profound deepening of her conversion upon reading St. Louis de Montfort’s book, True Devotion to Mary. For several decades since, she has taught many people this consecration to Jesus through Mary.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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