This special day in May, Mary’s month is when we pause to give thanks to God for our mothers. We recognize not only our actual mothers, both living and those who have passed on, but also those women who have been “motherly” to us throughout our lives. Motherhood is certainly a quality that women innately have about them. I have been blessed to have had many such mothers in my life and I give thanks to God for each of them.
In addition to these mothers, the Lord Jesus has given to each of us his own mother Mary as our spiritual mother. He did this powerfully at his supreme moment on the cross when he looked to his mother Mary and his beloved disciple, John, and said: “Woman, behold your son….[and to the disciple] Behold your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” John 19:26-27.
Mary our mother is always there for us. Saint Teresa of Calcutta, “mother” Teresa once said: “If you ever feel distressed during your day, call upon Our Lady. Just say this simple prayer, ‘Mary, mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.’ I must admit, this prayer has never failed me.”
Today, we commend all of our mothers to God’s abundant love, care, and compassion. And we ask Holy Mother Mary to intercede before God on our behalf for these mothers of ours. So, please be good to your mother this day!
Blessings,
Fr. David Mulholland
