The third of Jesus’ seven last words, for prayer and reflection: “Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.'” (John 19:26-27)
We are strangers, you and I,
no matter how long we have
called each other “family.”
Where your thoughts go,
how they drift and shift
and compel your life —
your inner being is beyond me
and I feel lost from you.
I stay close as best I can,
praying that the ambiguous energy
known as “love” will keep us
connected across the chasm.
We are family, you and I,
no matter how long we have
called each other “stranger.”
Where your life leads,
how your course
winds and climbs —
you impact and influence me,
and I am not me without you.
Though I strive to be separate,
in the shadow of Christ’s cross
one love binds us together
destroying every attempted chasm.
Behold: you are my son, my sister, my father, my friend.
Behold: I am your daughter, your neighbor, your mother.