If you permit me I need to stray off topic a little
or actually a lot today from our readings.
As you know today is a secular holiday in our country, we celebrate all
of those who are mothers, be they mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers,
some even great-great or even if a woman who has been like a mother to a young
person. It is a day that means so much
to us. There is a very special
connection we have with our moms.
Obviously we love our dads as well, no question but mama has that
special place in our hearts.
When I think of mothers I usually think of two
women. I think of my own mother as I am
sure you do as well. There were two
thoughts from today’s readings that reminded me of my own mother’s goodness;
the first is when St. Peter spoke about patient suffering and when Jesus spoke
about hearing his voice.
It is not just my mother I am sure, but all mothers
who have suffered patiently. I do not
mean persecution or someone doing them harm.
Rather I mean the everyday grind and patience of a mother. There are so many days when mothers sacrifice
their own time, pleasure, and happiness for their children. When I was young I did not understand this or
even recognize it so much until the Lord finally starting breaking through this
thick skull and I could begin to see and understand the sacrifices my mom made
for me and my brothers. She even bore
our pains in her own body if I could borrow a phrase from St. Peter’s first
letter.
When Jesus speaks about knowing his voice, think of
how true this is also for mothers. Since
the time we are infants we have cried out “mommy,” “ma,” or “mama” when we were
in need. No matter what fear came upon
us as soon as we heard her voice a sense of peace and calm would come over of
us, knowing everything would be ok. But
it is not just when we were infants, this knowing our mother’s voice we
recognize even as adults, it is a connection and bond that never goes away.
I believe the same two notions of patient suffering
and knowing her voice also applies to our Blessed Mother Mary. Reflecting on her life we can see that she
pondered many things in her heart even when God asked or warned her of difficult
moments ahead. Think of the anxiety and
or fear that she may have gone through when they couldn’t find a place for
Jesus to be born. Think of when the
three kings arrive bearing gifts and one of those gifts representing burial,
already pointing to the cross. Think of
when they bring Jesus to be presented in the Temple and Simeon says to Mary, “and
a sword shall pierce your heart.” Think
of when they lost him for three days and find him in the Temple and he points
to doing his Father’s will. Finally
think of the Cross as Mary walked every step with her son and watched the
entire crucifixion, finally holding him in her arms. These are great moments for our reflection on
such a beautiful mother.
When it comes to knowing her voice we recognize her
voice just as we recognize the voice of our own mothers and I dare to say even
more so, because she is a mother to us in the order of grace, as Vatican II
would say. From the Cross she is given
to us, “Son, behold your mother, mother, behold your son.” As Catholics it is instinctual to us to call
on Mary. Think of how when we are in
trouble the first words we say are, “Hail Mary full of Grace.” They come naturally to us. As Catholics we understand the familial
relationships we have with all the saints, especially with that of the Blessed
Virgin.
I leave you with this, remember your own mothers today,
the one God gave you to raise you, but also remember the one who protects from
above with her prayers and her guidance.
We know their voices, we know their patient suffering, so we simply say to
them thank you and we love you. Amen. FJ
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