“God couldn’t be everywhere, so He made mothers.” While not theologically accurate, this old Jewish saying describes beautifully the significant role mothers have in our lives. 

Motherhood is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. A loving, committed mother is an indispensable person in our development. Just imagine a world without mothers. It would be a sterile place indeed. Mothers instill powerful social and nurturing characteristics in each generation. It is principally from their mothers that children learn the virtues of sacrifice, sharing, valuing others, compassion, community and a host of other interpersonal values and skills that enable us to live together in peace.

Mothers are also designed by God to nurture. There is just no greater nurturing power on our planet than a mother. When the apostle Paul was describing his love for the church at Thessalonica, he used a metaphor of a mother’s love to describe how deeply he cared for the Thessalonians. He reminded them that he was like a “gentle” mother who tenderly cares for her own children. (1Thessalonians 2:7) When God described His love for Israel, He did so with a motherhood metaphor. He told Israel that He would comfort them like a mother comforts her children. (Isaiah 66:13)

Today we celebrate each and every one of our own Mothers. We are grateful and realize not just today but every day how much we treasure and love our mothers living and deceased. I know I will always be grateful for my mother and my grandmothers and all the adopted mothers in my life. I know I am who I am today because of my own mother Mary “Elaine.” May we always be grateful for the gift that God has so generously blessed us with in our mothers. And so here is to our mothers. Wishing all of our Mothers a Happy and Blessed Mother’s Day.  

Love and prayers, Fr. Steve