Dear Participants,

Welcome to the eleventh day of our retreat! Today, Mary will reveal to us why she stood by the Cross.

How to be faithful when we're asked to bear our cross? The fear of the cross paralyzes us, make us flee, deny: this is Peter by the fire, who doesn't recognize his master. The cross jeopardizes our faithfulness.

Why this fear? We look at the cross, our cross, our suffering, we do not see the One who is nailed on it. Our hatred of pain makes us hate the cross, sometimes even hate the One on it. 

Mary's attitude by the cross is exemplary. It is said that she is standing near the Cross. Those two elements are essential:

- Mary is standing: that means that she isn't that far from Christ. The Cross is not that high, and Jesus' mouth is reachable with a reed.

- Mary is near (para): let that sink in - what makes suffering unbearable is that fact that it is de-humanized. There's nobody, no face. But Mary, but staying near the cross, near Jesus, doesn't see the cross as a sinister gibbet. She sees the One she loves. Thus, it is easier for her to stay. 

In other words, one of the secrets of faithfulness is the proximity, the closeness. Mary remains faithful because she is close. Proximity fuels fidelity. Thus, it is essential to stay close to our relatives, even if they aren't well, especially if they aren't well. 

It is also crucial that Christ doesn't become a stranger: this may happen so fast, depending on the quality of our spiritual life. When we look at Christ, we become unable to sin. When we look at him, we don't want to leave him anymore.  

It is only when we take our eyes off him that we can go away, it is when we cover his head that we can hit him. 

This is why Mary teaches us to remain: swinging, going back and forth, is exhausting. She shows us that faithfulness feeds faithfulness! 

Let us pray: 

In the presence of all the heavenly court, I choose you this day, for my Mother and Mistress. I deliver and consecrate to you as your slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present, and future; leaving to you the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to your good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and eternity. Amen. 

Artwork: Crucifixion scene - Christ on the cross with Mary and John, by Albrecht Altdorfer.