Fifth Sunday of Easter

Today's Mass Readings

I remember I was barely seventeen. Leaving home to go the seminary was the most difficult call I answered. This decision was even more difficult because I would not see my family for a whole year. My parents came with me to drop me off at the seminary in Bangalore, India. They stayed with me a few days and then the day came when they were to leave. I think it was the most difficult day of our lives. That morning we attended mass at the chapel in the seminary. When everybody had left the chapel, we sat there still and quiet. I guess each of us was still pondering what all this meant. Hanging on the wall of the chapel was a picture of the Mother of Perpetual Help. The legend behind the picture is that as a mere child, Jesus had a vision of his impending passion and death. In fear he ran into his mother who picked him up to console him. In the picture, this is symbolized by Jesus’ falling shoes. Perhaps my mother sensed my fear. She took me in front of the picture of the Mother of Perpetual Help and she said to me, “Thus far I have been your mother.” And then pointing to Mary she said, “From now on, SHE is your mother.” I am telling you this story for two reasons. First because, today is mother’s day, and second, because I am fortunate to have parents here today with me to celebrate this Eucharist. Motherhood is an Expression of the Divine

Through motherhood, humanity participates in God’s creative act in the most intense way. Like God, a mother creates, bears, and nurtures. There is no other species that is closer to God in God’s creative and nurturing qualities. And yet, statistics reveal a rather grim picture. Just in the United States 4 million women are physically abused by their husbands or live-in partners each year. While women are less likely than men to be victims of violent crimes overall, women are 5 to 8 times more likely than men to be victimized by an intimate partner. Violence by an intimate partner accounts for about 21% of violent crime experienced by women, most of whom are mothers. It is not just about women, but humanity as a whole – the unborn, children, the handicapped, the poor, the weak, the aged and the dying – must reclaim the God given dignity. Today as we honor all mothers, let us make sure that we ourselves treat all people with the dignity that God has given them.

Motherhood is Holy

From a Christian perspective, motherhood assumes an even greater dignity because of its importance in the story of the incarnation. In other words, of all the options God had to incarnate Jesus, God chose a mother through which the Son would be born. This makes motherhood the most holy vocation. Those of you who are mothers here today, may I suggest to you that you become aware not merely of the dignity of your motherhood but that you participate in a special way in the very holiness of God. Consider the gift of your motherhood as the holiest gift God has given you.

Motherhood is an awesome responsibility

When I think of mothers, I think of Mary and her relationship with Jesus. I think of how she brought her to the temple for purification. I think of how she went each year to Jerusalem for the Passover. I think of how she asked her Son to help other people at Cana. I think of how she stood by him at the foot of the cross. And then I see today how mothers expose their own children to cigarette smoke as they drive, or spend time at a bar while grandparents raise grandchildren, or teach them everything but how to have a meaningful relationship with God. Motherhood is the greatest blessing, but it is also the greatest responsibility.

Today, at this Eucharist, let us pray for mothers all over the world. May our relationship with Mary help us to more deeply love Jesus the Son. Amen.