RBWords

     A dear friend, the Catholic mother of five wonderful kids, introduced me to a "blog" entitled, MIGHTY IS HER CALL.  It is written by Catholic moms and the posts run the gamut emotionally, spiritually, and physically!  The writers are not shy about sharing their experiences of motherhood.  Since I have spent many a visit with the family of my friend, as well as listening in spiritual direction to other moms. I can testify to the authenticity of the accounts posted on this blog!  Jesus' statement in the "Farewell Discourse" at the Last Supper, "No greater love....." finds a flesh and blood expression in those experiences.  If I may add a little twist to this, a mom often has to "lay down" her life so she can ""pick up (no matter what their age)" her child!  This is not mere sentimentality.  The role of the mother in passing on the "wisdom of love" is crucial, and when it is missing, the results are very sad and destructive.  I read that blog every day to remind myself of the love that is going on every day.

     Judaeo-Christian tradition holds that "motherhood" is "hard-wired" in a woman even if she is unable to give birth or chooses not to.  The denial of this reality, by choice or circumstance, has serious consequences.  The expression of love as Jesus describes it, indeed was found in his own mother's love for him, He speaks of the relationship between himself and his Father but his human expression of that love found its roots in the love he received from his earthly parents, especially his mother.  The consequences of that love can hardly be underestimated for all of us!

     Mothers' Day is about more than sentiment, gifts and corsages.  It is about a relationship born of God's creative act.  In recognizing this, we pay tribute not to "motherhood" but to the flesh and blood that has been "laid down" for us.  AMEN