I finally saw The Passion of Christ on Tuesday night. Since this is the Feast of the Anunciation, the following remark is offered:

We tend to make much of Mary's acceptance of the call to give birth to the Son of God, and very little of her agreeing to be His mother. This meant that she would be with Him even in His death. She would follow her whole life. The great imagery of Mary wiping the blood of her Son from the pavement in the movie was amazing. As the first of Christians, she sets the ultimate model for us, and what a model to follow. She joins and has fellowship with the suffering of her Son. May we join with her this day, saying "be it unto me according to thy Word."