As I move about these spring days, I see farmers and gardeners busy with soil preparation. Manure and other nutrients are being added and tilled into the soil. As soil and daily temperatures warm, seeds and seedlings are being planted with dreams of an abundant harvest. Prayers are lifted for timely rains, warmth, and sunshine. Many hours will be spent making sure the growing environment is favorable to the crop.
Just as care of the soil is essential for a good harvest, care of the soul is important to our spiritual lives. Care of the soul involves participating in the sacraments, especially the eucharist, and spending time with God’s living word. Only through this preparation can the seed of faith planted in our soul grow. Prayer is vital to our soul’s wellbeing, especially as we face hardship.
In the scriptures we discover the great news that God shows no partiality. God’s love reaches out to all people. This inclusive, nonjudging, and unconditional love of God is modeled by our moms. Our moms taught us to pray and to love God and neighbor. One writer noted, “Moms do many things. Two of the things moms do are a great deal of warning and comforting. “Don’t play in the street!” “I’ll go upstairs with you so that you won’t be afraid.” “Don’t stick that fork in the electrical outlet!” “Here, take this medicine and you will feel better soon.” “Get off the roof! (How did you get up there, anyway?)” “It’s OK. You tried your best. You’ll win the next game.” Moms put flesh onto the love of Jesus our Good Shepherd. I know I am blessed through the example of my mom.
On this Mother’s Day, we pray for young mothers, who give life and count toes and tend to our every need; May they be blessed with patience and tenderness to care for their families and themselves with great joy. We pray for mothers who have nurtured and cared for us; May they continue to guide in strong and gentle ways. We remember mothers who are separated from their children because of war, poverty, or conflict. We pray for women who are not mothers but still love and shape us with motherly care and compassion. We pray and comfort women who desire to be mother’s but because of circumstances are not able to conceive. We mourn and wipe the tears away of women who have had a child die before or after birth. We remember mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love.
Happy Mother’s Day
Christ is Risen! Indeed he is Risen!
Fr. Ron