Mother’s Day!
On this Mother’s Day, we realize that for many of us, our mother’s
dearest wish is that we follow in their footsteps. Especially when it comes to the faith. What do mothers want most for their
children? What do they want them to
be? What do they want them to do? Truly mothers are powerful role models in
passing on the faith. One of the things
that really pains a mother is to see her children abandon the faith. I truly believe that a mother’s prayers are
always answered. When we pray for our
children’s return to the faith, these prayers will be answered one day! Mothers are a powerful reminder of God’s love
for us. They live unselfishly and make
the sacrifices necessary to bring their children up in the fear and love of
God. As we thank God for the gift of our
mothers, we also pray for all the mothers who have gone before us to the other
side of life. We also remember all the
mothers who have lost children to death.
We remember all mothers and women for whom this day may be painful for
whatever reasons, all who are widows, and those who have chosen the single way
of life and have given their lives in service to God and neighbor and provide a
mother’s love and care for others.
On this day we ask Mary our Mother to watch over all our Mothers! We pray that she who is Queen of Angels and
Queen of May will pray for all the mothers who have gone before us and console
all who carry heavy crosses.
Today we celebrate Mother’s Day acknowledging the truth that we cannot
return, in the same coin, what our mothers have given us or done for us. While we can never return the love our
mothers have lavished upon us, we can share the love we have received from our
mothers with others. We can follow the
example of our mothers and love unselfishly and sacrificially. Because of the love of dads and moms, we
experience God’s love for us and learn how to love others! This day reminds us of God’s love for us, and
the love we have received in this life and the challenge before us to love as
we have been loved!
The History of Mother's Day
The earliest Mother's Day
celebrations can be traced back to the spring celebrations of
ancient Greece in honor of Rhea, the Mother of the
Gods. During the 1600's, the early Christians in England celebrated a day to
honor Mary, the mother of Christ. By a religious order the holiday was later
expanded in its scope to include all mothers, and named as the Mothering
Sunday. Celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Lent (the 40 day period
leading up to Easter), "Mothering Sunday" honored the mothers of
England
In the United States:
The House of Representatives in
May 1913 unanimously adopted a resolution requesting the President, his
cabinet, the members of both Houses and all officials of the federal government
to wear a white carnation on Mother's Day. On May 7, 1914, a resolution providing that
the second Sunday in May be designated Mother's Day was introduced by
Representative James T. Heflin of Alabama and Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas. It passed both Houses and on May 9, 1914, President
Woodrow Wilson made the first official announcement proclaiming Mother's Day as
a national holiday that was to be held each year on the 2nd Sunday
of May. He asked Americans to give a
public expression of reverence to mothers through the celebration of Mother's
Day.
Blessed is the Mother
who lifts the hearts
of her family
through her
understanding
and caring ways.
Blessed is the Mother
who shares her wisdom,
and guides her
children to God.