Today we celebrate 2 separate things – Domingo Laetare / “Rejoice Sunday”, and “Mother’s Day”.
In the Mass we are invited to take a break from the penitential nature of Lent. We find some very encouraging words in each of the readings.
The First Reading quickly runs through the Old Testament, focussing on the Jewish people’s exile in Babylon – seen as a punishment for their sins and failures. However, they are freed to return to Jerusalem and, re-build their lives and religious practices: a major “Good News” story in their history.
We learn in the Second Reading that “God loved us with so much love that he was generous with his mercy: when we were dead through our sins, he brought us to life with Christ.” Also, “We are God’s work of art” – what a beautiful privilege!
In the Gospel, John says. “God loved the world so much that he GAVE his only Son for us.” Much-needed words of encouragement, well worth reflecting on in these times of Covid-related struggle and suffering.
Today is also “Mother’s Day”. The one thing we all have or have had is a mother. But each relationship between mother and child is unique.
Perhaps, each of us might look today at MY relationship with MY mother – alive or dead? Let our initial attitude be of gratitude; hopefully there may be many good things in the history of our unique story. Let us thank God for this and, maybe, our mother herself personally – in person or prayer.
Perhaps it is / was not all good? What am I angry about? Can I ask God to help me forgive her? Maybe, even tell her this?
Sadly, as we know from the investigation of the “Mother and Baby Homes”, many children were ‘given away’ by their mothers; some don’t even know WHO their mother is or was. Though some were lucky enough to be treated well, many were treated badly.
May you, despite your pain and/or anger, also reflect, with God, today. What do you want to ask of God?
May the many of us who have/had a good relationship with our mothers, pray for all who have not had, and ask God to help them in their pain.
Photo by Derek Thomson on Unsplash
Brian McLaughlin C.S.Sp.
