Devotion in Motion

Good Friday:  Standing with Mary at the Cross

Good Friday is one of the most solemn and sacred days in the Christian calendar. It is a day of deep reflection, gratitude, and reverence as we remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

This morning, I woke with a simple but profound prayer of thanksgiving—thanking Jesus for His sacrifice, for His love, and for the gift of salvation. As I listened to today’s devotional, I was drawn into a deeper meditation: What was it like for Mary, the mother of Jesus, on that day?

Reflecting on Mary’s Sorrow

When I pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, I often imagine Mary as the sorrowful mother—grieving, heartbroken, and overwhelmed. If I were in her place, I would feel completely undone: powerless, distraught, and consumed by grief. The horror she witnessed is almost beyond comprehension.  Yet, Mary was not like me.   She was full of grace, rooted in faith, and aligned with God’s will in a way I can only strive for. She understood, even in the midst of unimaginable suffering, what her Son was doing—and why. She knew His sacrifice was necessary. She knew it was for the salvation of the world.

Did Mary Encourage Jesus?

This reflection led me to a powerful question: Did Mary support Jesus during His suffering? Did she silently encourage Him as He carried out this unimaginable mission?

I believe she did.

As a mother, I think of how I encourage my own child through hardship, even when it hurts me to watch. Love compels us to remain present, to strengthen, to walk alongside. Mary did not turn away from the Cross—she stood beneath it. She remained. She trusted. She loved.

On this Good Friday, I am reminded that while the suffering was horrific, it was also profoundly righteous. Jesus chose the Cross out of perfect love. He knew what needed to be done so that we could be freed from sin and given the gift of eternal life. This was not a moment of defeat—it was the ultimate act of redemption.  And Mary, in her quiet strength, said “yes” all over again.

What This Means for Us Today

As we reflect on Good Friday, we are invited not only to witness the Cross but to respond to it.

1. Stay Present in Suffering
Like Mary, we are called not to run from pain but to remain faithful within it. Whether it’s our own struggles or those of others, we can choose to stand firm in love and trust.

2. Trust God’s Greater Plan
Even when we don’t understand our circumstances, Good Friday reminds us that God is always at work. What looks like loss can become victory.

3. Lean on Mary’s Example
When the weight of life feels overwhelming, we can turn to Mary and ask for her intercession. She knows sorrow, and she knows faith.

A Simple Good Friday Practice

Today, consider setting aside a few quiet moments to:

• Read the Passion narrative (John 18–19)
• Pray one decade of the Sorrowful Mysteries
• Sit in silence and imagine yourself at the foot of the Cross with Mary

Let yourself feel both the sorrow and the love present there.

A Prayer for Good Friday

Lord Jesus,
Today I remember Your sacrifice on the Cross.
You chose love in the face of suffering,
mercy in the face of sin,
and obedience in the face of death.

Help me to never take this gift for granted.
Teach me to trust as Mary trusted,
to remain as she remained,
and to love as You have loved me.

When I face trials, give me strength to stand firm.
When I feel lost, remind me of Your promise of redemption.
And when I struggle to understand,
help me to believe in Your greater plan.

Mother Mary,
Walk with me today.
Help me to stay close to your Son
and to carry my crosses with faith and hope.

Amen.