Woman, Behold Thy Son (Stabat Mater)

As time passed at Golgotha, the sky grew darker, frightening away many of the observers but permitting those in Jesus’ immediate circle, who had initially kept themselves at a safe distance, to approach, and even to touch his feet. Mary Magdalene hugs the cross. Jesus—facing away and hidden by the beams of the cross—acknowledges the sufferings of his mother, and seeing John standing nearby, he urges her to look to the apostle for comfort, saying, “Woman, behold thy son!” He also urges John to care for the Virgin as part of his own family, saying to him, “Behold, thy mother!”