Dear Parishioners:
Happy Mother's Day! Saint Pope John Paul the Great said: "The history of every human being passes through the threshold of a woman's Motherhood." Thus, on one Sunday a year, we honor our Mothers and celebrate God's gift of Motherhood.
Today, we can express our thanks to all of them, including the adoptive mothers, the foster mothers, the grandmothers, and all those women who, by their care for others, help mothers in caring for their children and families. It is a lot to honor in a single day. I have always found it fitting that Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday of May, the month of Mary, Mother of God. Mary's divine Motherhood begins in her consent to God's invitation to become the mother of Jesus and all of his brothers and sisters in faith. In life, Mary knew in her heart that only in reflection, prayer, and conversation with the God who had called her to be the mother of his child would she be able to carry on her mission with faith and love.
We give thanks for the blessing in our lives of our mothers who, like Mary, have been faithful to their calling of caring for us with the deepest love. A mother's love, like all love, is of God. It models unselfish and sacrificial love. It is grounded in mercy and forgiveness. In their special way of loving, mothers reflect God's love for their children.
Take a moment this weekend to thank the woman in your life who loves you in that special way that only mothers do. Give thanks to God for the blessing she is to your life. Or, if your mother is deceased, take a moment, as I will, to remember gratefully the woman who gave you life, formed you, and nurtured you in faith with love.
Pope Francis said: "Every human person owes his or her life to a mother." So say a prayer for your mother and give thanks for the generosity of her life. Pray as well, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, that the beauty and sacrifice of a mother's love might be at the heart of the life of the Church and the love and care we give to one another. Happy Mother's Day!
This weekend we also celebrate First Holy Communion for the children of our parish. It is a joyful occasion of faith, hope, and love! The children also celebrate the May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 10:30 am on this Mother's Day! These are occasions to celebrate as a parish family. But what exactly are we celebrating at First Communion? The Catholic Catechism describes the Eucharist as a "sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.'"
It is bread and wine transformed into Body and Blood. It is the greatest of intimacies and the most profound of mysteries. It is a moment of deep union between the broken and the Divine Healer. It is "the source and summit of the Christian life."
And further, "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch."
The great Catholic writer Flannery O'Connor once sat quietly at a cocktail party amidst fashionable New York writers condescending about the Eucharist as "a pretty good" symbol. Having said nothing the entire evening out of an awkward nervousness, O'Connor finally blurted out, "Well, if it's a symbol, to hell with it."
Pope Francis celebrates First Communion Mass.
No, the Eucharist is not just a "pretty good" symbol. The Eucharist, instituted at the Last Supper, is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. It is Jesus's Precious and Holy Blood, poured out for us and our sins. Eating His Body and drinking His Blood puts His life inside of us. This truth of the real and abiding presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is what we celebrate in faith and joy this weekend as a parish family with our First Communion Class. May we never take it for granted, for St. Maximilian Kolbe said: "If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion."
Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless! Blessings upon all Mothers this Mother’s Day! Congratulations to our First Communion Class!