It is good to remember that Mary, with St. Joseph, were the persons who accompanied Jesus in his human initiation: customs, family life, social relationships, sorrows and limitations….. Except giving birth, she continues her maternal function in all the basic life experiences of our existence.
From his childhood, the marian experience of Claret had a strong filial type. His life, saved from serious dangers, his formation, his very intimate affections, the certainties that gave him security….By all these knew himself as a son of Mary, of her love and of her heart. He had her as his teacher, formatrix and directress. He testifies to them in his various texts and initiatives.
As mother, Mary acts in us making us similar to Jesus. And for this work she works with same heart and same vital functions with which she formed Jesus and accompanied him throughout his life. This is the similarity that will define the disciple of Jesus and will make it very much visible in the world.
From the words of Jesus on Calvary, “Woman, this is your son” (Jn19: 26), all of us aware of Mary´s maternal care for us. She knows our needs, limitations and miseries; and at the same time, she is an active operator of the very works of Jesus, very much expressive of his mercy. From her maternal heart, the works around her are of untiring tenderness and compassion.
We can be sure that, like Jesus, Mary knows our needs and sorrows before we tell her and she is not indifferent to them. But listening to Jesus who tells me, “There is your mother” (Jn19:27), as he did to his disciple at the foot of the cross, how can I remain quiet without going to her daily and entrust to her not only my problems, but also those of my family, my group and my community? And how can I remain quiet without being influenced by her big heart to the extent of converting me into a grateful communicator and instrument of solidarity of her maternal love for the good of others?