MOTHER’S DAY GREETINGS

May 9, 2013

Every year since my Mom died when Mother’s Day rolls around, I find myself missing the opportunity to take some time to research Mother’s Day cards. It was one of the few times that I would “spend time” in a card shop and review the prospects. My Mom enjoyed the cards and really studied the messages enclosed. She saved many of them—but really treasured the ones she received from us kids that were “home-made”—misspellings and all! Moms do those things. They ponder, they remember, they treasure the events of our lives that are lived and held so closely in theirs.

Back when I was stationed in Peoria, Illinois, I received a book from a woman with whom I was doing spiritual direction. She always had good insights and offered some positive reading matter to back up her Catholic, motherly, and strong feminine thoughts on life. One day, she came in with a children’s book called: “Love You Forever.” I was quite taken by the story. My Mom was already in the loving care of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Chicago and was slipping steadily away into the cloud of Alzheimer’s disease. I bought many copies of the book (the illustrations are fantastic!) and gave them away to so many friends—mothers, mostly, but sons and daughters, too. A few weeks ago, (realizing the approach of Mother’s Day) I wanted to read it again. I know it’s here somewhere, but my bookshelves failed to yield the treasure. So, I went looking online and I found this website. Not only can you order the book, but the author, Robert Munsch, “performs” it (a little more than “reading” it, if you get my drift). Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out: http://robertmunsch.com/book/love-you-forever# I think it might bring a tear to your eye, so have a Kleenex handy.

Mothers are so special and so important. They must be treated with respect and held in the highest honor. God values motherhood so much that He chose to have a Mother Himself—the Blessed Virgin Mary. Jesus loves Mary so much and honors her so well as His Mother that He gave her to all of us so that she could be our Mother, too. He gave her to us when He died on the cross for us.

Mary was with the Apostles when the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost, and she was with them when the Church, in its infancy, started to be formed. Can you imagine what it must have been like to be at a Mass celebrated by one of the Apostles with the Blessed Mother in attendance? Clearly amazing!

Mary is the Mother of the Church—our Mother and the model and example of all Motherhood. God honors all women through Mary and teaches us to do so as well. Remember your mother this week. Pray for her, call her up, send her a card, take her out for coffee, or dinner. Do some kind of act of love for her. Happy Mother’s Day! I miss you, Mom.

Please join the Blessed Mother and all our Moms at Sunday Mass!