But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
(Revised Standard Version)

The following is a synopsis of Adrienne von Speyr's commentary. She was a Swiss mystic and a medical doctor.

Alongside John, the beloved disciple, there are three women at the foot of the cross. Mary, the mother, personifies the suffering of the righteous. Conversely, the Magdalene personifies the sinners for whom Jesus dies. The wife of Clopas in the middle gives roundness to the reality that Jesus died for all of us, even the garden variety Catholic woman. Von Speyr reminds us that "one need be neither exceptionally pure, nor exceptionally sinful in order to be looked upon in a special way by the Lord at the cross." Thus, we should never assume that our most ordinary of days nor mundane duties keep us from salvation.

(This review covers the second book of the trilogy Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset. We recommend the Tiina Nunnally translation of the original Norwegian novel, published by Penguin Classics. Click the book to order through Amazon)

The Mistress of Husaby takes up the story of newlyweds Erlend and Kristin. Newborn Naakve joins the household, and Kristin's responsibility as a mother brings her to newfound grief regarding the extent of her sins prior to marriage. Erlend's brother Gunnulf is a priest, and his consistent service to Kristin as a confidant and advocate with God serves as a steadying backdrop to her tumultuous life on the manor.