Fifth Sunday of Easter
Perhaps most of you know that Pope Francis has been on a twenty-four hour visit to Fatima. He was there to canonize two of the three children who witnessed the apparition of Mary. Apart from all the celebrations, he also tweeted, “Whenever we look at Mary, we come to believe once again in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness.” On mother’s day, there is nothing more beautiful Pope Francis could have said about Mary. Mothers are the face of love and tenderness of God and Mary. In my life these days, much focus has been on my father because of his ill-health. I love my father to death. However, it is my mother who is the hero. This woman who gave birth to me, nurtured me, and loved me - this woman is my hero. Gentle yet strong, loving yet straight-forward, tender yet firm, holy yet humble — she is my hero. She is small but she has the biggest heart. My mother is my hero. As I often say, “My mother is the best mother in the whole wide world.” I am sure most of you will say that same thing about your mother.
Mother’s day is not a liturgical feast and thus the readings of the day are not chosen for today. Yet, scripture often refers to the motherly qualities of God. I wish to reflect on God and mothers.
1. Of God and Mothers. The fact that the first man and woman were made in the image of likeness of God, tells us that God is beyond gender. Mothers get their motherly qualities from God who created them. In their life-nurturing and creative role, in their love, kindness, tenderness, and compassion, mothers reflect the God who created them. In the prophetic books God shows motherly love and tenderness. Isaiah says, “Can a mother forget the child in her womb? Even if she forgets, I will not forget you.” In the New Testament too, there are passages that remind us of the God’s motherly qualities. Last Sunday’s gospel for example spoke of God as a shepherd. Without the shepherd the sheep would not survive or thrive. Shepherds feed the sheep, water them, groom them, shear them, deliver lambs, lead them, protect them, and guide the stray sheep back into the fold. Mothers are to their children what a shepherd is to a sheep. However, God and mothers they are more than a shepherd. God also creates people. Mothers are also like God in that mothers bring us into the world. Moreover, just as the Good Shepherd gives his life for his sheep, so too, mothers sacrifice their life for us. In today’s gospel reading when Jesus says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be,” I am reminded of my own mother’s love, tenderness and care. Mothers are God’s way of telling us that God loves us. Dear mothers, today, we your children honor you, love you, and thank you. Without you, we would not have life and everything that life offers us. Thank you!
2. Motherhood: A Calling and A Challenge. Motherhood is both the most profound calling and the most challenging vocation. Just the other day, I was talking to a mother who was both excited and fearful that her twin sons had gotten their driving licenses. I commented that there is a reason God has not called me to be a parent. Motherhood is a calling in a way that is different from all other calls. Only a mother can be a mother. When couples get married, it is not like they can say to each other, “Let’s take turn having babies.” Only the mother can do that. The baby inside her draws nourishment and life from her. This is a holy calling. In this the mother is like God. Motherhood is a profound calling. However, her calling is also her challenge. A mother is a human person. Sometimes we forget that. As a child I expected my mother to be a miracle worker. My clothes had to be washed right and on time, my food had to reach the table on time and it had to taste good, she was supposed to heal me when I was ill, make me look good even when I did not, and make me feel good when I felt crappy. I forgot that she was a human person with a divine challenge. Mothers have the same weaknesses we do. Mothers sometimes fail like we do. Mothers sometimes go astray like we do. Yet, only a mother could be a mother! Today we pray for all our mothers - those who have done well and those that did not. I pray to Mary, the mother of God, to be with all mothers. I pray to her that she may intercede for all mothers. May God bless them all.
3. "Mothers, Forgive us!" On this Mother’s Day, I also want to draw our attention to the challenges women and mothers face. It is a sad reality that in this time and age, women still do not draw equal wages. Mandated maternity leave is not mandate in our country. In this it is way behind most developed and developing countries. The data on the abuse of women on college campuses and homes make is alarming. A society is only as good as it treats its women. Mother’s day is reminder to all of us children to respect, honor, love and help our mothers. When we fail to do so, we fail to honor God’s greatest gift to the world… motherhood. If we have failed our mothers or you have the mother of your children, it would be appropriate to repent and seek their forgiveness and God’s. Today, we also pray for mothers who have lost a child or have had to bury their children, those who have not received the grace of motherhood, mothers who have had miscarriages, and mothers who for one reason or another could not bring their children into the world. May God’s love lead you on. When you are sad or feel overwhelmed, please know that Mary, the mother of love and tenderness is there to give you hope.
I want to end my homily with a prayer to the Hail Mary!
Hail Mary, full of grace1
The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed in the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
Pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph