By FR. RICHARD D. BRETON, Jr.
This coming Sunday, May 14, is the feast day of St. Matthias, the Apostle, and it is also the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Both of these observances have significant importance in the life of the Church. At the same time, however, in this country we also celebrate the yearly observance of Mother’s Day. Celebrating Mother’s Day is almost impossible without looking at motherhood through the eyes of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.
Returning to the moments of creation and the Garden of Eden, we see the first need for a motherly figure. The creation of Eve, who represents all women, was necessary in order that Adam, representing all men, had the complementarity necessary in the fulfillment of God’s plan.
Thus Adam and Eve become our “parents of creation” through whom humanity would flourish. Sadly, the innocence and beauty they received in the beginning became tarnished with concupiscence, and opened the door toward the need for our redemption. For even in creation, Adam and Eve are prefiguring Christ the new Adam and Mary the new Eve.
So, in the fulfillment of time, God’s plan of salvation would unfold through the simple yes of the Virgin Mary. At the Annunciation something magnificent happened that forever transformed the dignity of motherhood. Mary’s yes to God’s messenger, the Angel Gabriel, transforms the motherhood of creation into a motherhood for salvation. Mary’s yes becomes the yes of all mothers, as they see the light of salvation shine on their children. Thus, like Mary, all mothers are given the responsibility of ensuring that their children get to Heaven.
This responsibility, however, can be very daunting, especially in today’s world. Society and distorted cultural ideas have caused such confusion regarding the role and dignity of motherhood. If we look at the identity of today’s mother, what we see is merely the image of oneself in the mirror.
Today some mothers have become so self-absorbed that the link that exists between mother and child has been lost. We see this especially in the situations where mothers take a backseat in the raising of their children. Instead of fulfilling their responsibility by nurturing, disciplining, and teaching by using their authority to help growth, they let the children do whatever they want. The excuse that is often expressed for allowing this kind of parenting includes the need to be their child’s friend and not to be overbearing.
Today we don’t need mothers who are friends with their children; we need mothers who are renewed in their responsibility to nurture, discipline, and teach them how to navigate this crazy world. This takes courage and often includes making decisions that children might not like. That’s just the way it is sometimes, but it needs to be done.
Having touched upon the difficulties seen in the role of motherhood today, how can we offer support and encouragement to mothers? One place we can gain this support and encouragement is in the Sacred Scriptures where women have played a special role in the plan of salvation. Sacred Scripture is filled with so much encouragement when it comes to mothers. The Prophet Isaiah reminds us of a mother’s love:
“Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?” (Isaiah 49:15). There is something about a mother’s love for her children. It is indescribable and unless you are a mother you cannot understand it. Mothers have a kind of “sixth sense” that is linked to their love. They are aware when something is brewing in the lives of their children and how best to help. Sometimes, however, a mother’s love can be shrouded in the chaos of life, and it is often this chaos that causes the strain that can exist in familial relationships.
Often the lives of biblical figures were linked to struggles and joys. These moments often became the theme of songs, psalms, and proverbs of Scripture. When the women in the Bible struggled with maintaining dignity that was theirs, they sought out the wisdom necessary to persevere. Many turned to the Book of Proverbs to find the wisdom in answer to their pleas.
Today, mothers need to seek and find this wisdom even in the midst of the noise around them.
The Book of Proverbs says:
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (Prov. 31:25). Women need to be “clothed with strength and dignity” if they are going to celebrate the gift of motherhood. It requires a keen understanding and a wisdom, not of their own, but of the Blessed Mother if they are to succeed. Prov. 31:26 expresses how mothers speak and teach with authority and kindness.
The Wedding Feast Of Cana
An example of this kind of wisdom is seen at the Wedding Feast of Cana in Galilee. Remember what happened at the wedding feast? The wine ran dry, and Mary sought out Jesus to “fix” the problem. Jesus asks how this is His problem, but, through the loving authority of Mary, Jesus performs His first miracle and changes water into wine.
And so, as we celebrate Mother’s Day and reflect upon the dignity of all mothers, we turn our gaze toward Heaven to the Queen of Heaven and Earth, Mary, our spiritual mother, and seek her counsel. Mary had the unique responsibility of carrying within her womb God Himself. And yet, even for her the path of motherhood wasn’t easy. Remember her seven sorrows? They ranged from the loss of Jesus in the Temple all the way to and including the Passion, crucifixion, and death of her Son.
But it was even more than that, Mary’s culture was not unlike today. In a sense, it was very similar because Mary had to be countercultural also. For her it involved following the example of Jesus as He sought to bring fulfillment to the Jewish religion. So, it was counter-Judaism. Today, mothers must follow this example of Mary by being counter-cultural to the ideologies that destroy the family and the dignity of the person. Mothers must be courageous in their resolve to nourish, teach, and educate their children in the Truth.
Today, “Truth” has become a somewhat fairytale story where one can choose whatever ending they wish that suits their preference. This is destructive to the person as a whole and to society as well.
Mothers need to teach the Truth that will lead to the kind people society needs and set a firm foundation in knowing who they are.
I don’t envy mothers at all, in fact, I pray for them constantly so that they will receive the graces they need to survive the struggles of our times. I know there are lots of tears shed by mothers when they see children lost on the path of life. I also see tears of joy when children recognize the great sacrifices that their mothers make for them.
Give Them Wisdom
I close with the following prayer for all mothers:
Good and Gracious God, we pray in gratitude for our mothers who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life. You who became human through the Virgin Mary, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings. Give them the strength to love and to be loved in return, not perfectly, but humanly. Give them the faithful support of husband, family, and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children.
Give them joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most. Amen.
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