Mother?s Day And Today?s Readings

I?m sure that Mother?s Day can be difficult for priests and deacons. After all, the homily is supposed to be about the scriptures, but people at least expect an acknowledgement of the noble vocation of motherhood. Is it possible to combine the two? I believe that it is?Here?s what I got while listening to today?s readings:

First Reading (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29)

?It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right.

What we see in this reading is the first Church Council in which some controversial questions were handled authoritatively by the Apostles. Note that they claim the decision is made by the Holy Spirit, who was promised by Our Lord to infallibly guide the Church. It is that same Holy Spirit who ensures that the Magisterium of the Church can teach without error in 2010.

Second Reading (Rev 21:10-14, 22-23)

?The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve namesof the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Jesus built His Catholic Church on the foundation of the Apostles, with Peter as the head. Their successors, the modern day bishops, along with Pope Benedict XVI still possess this authority today.

Gospel (Jn 14:23-29)

Jesus said to his disciples: ?Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. ?I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.

If we want to love Jesus, we must follow His commands. How do we follow His commands? By listening to the teachings of His infallible Catholic Church. It really is simple, but so many people try to overcomplicate it.

That?s great, you say, but what does any of this have to do with Mother?s Day? Actually, that is quite simple also. The greatest example of motherhood and apostleship ever seen was provided by Our Blessed Mother, Mary. Not only is she the model mother, but she is the model Christian. If we strive to imitate her, we should be in good shape.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for our mothers and for us all!