The Women (10/30/2025)

They were there. They followed along the way that Jesus walked to Calvary, carrying His cross. Veronica wiped His face of blood and sweat. They were there to weep as they witnessed Him struggling under the weight of the cross. Mary, her sister, and Mary Magdalene were there at the foot of the cross as He was lifted up,  and they stood watch with Him until He surrendered His Spirit. They were there. They were the first to learn of His resurrection when they entered the tomb and found Him not there.  And it was one of them, Mary Magdalene, who first saw Christ, spoke to Him, and was sent as an apostle with the message that He was risen.

Today, as I read the first reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans, I was struck by the line “What will separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35). And the memory of the women who did not separate themselves from Christ during His Passion and crucifixion filled my mind. When others were distancing themselves from Him and denying that they knew Him, these women were there. There was no denial among them. And I wondered if I would have that level of faith if I’d been there.

I hope I would, but I wonder because in our time in our country, while following Christ might not be popular, there is not the threat that those who didn’t follow Christ that day for fear faced. And I wonder, if it were today, how many of us would be there, following along the way, wiping His face, weeping for Him in His suffering, and refusing to leave Him?

What will separate us from the love of Christ today? Fear? Feelings? Convenience? Distractions? Cancel culture? Pressure of others? Nothing can separate us except us and the choice to turn away.

He tells us we must deny ourselves, pick up our crosses and follow Him. He tells us in advance that “the way” will be difficult. Will we do as He asks? Will we persist in not letting the world get between us and the love of Christ today?

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.