I have pretty much, but not always, kept my reflections on the readings of that Sunday.  Beyond this weekend there are 2 Sundays left to the time of Easter, Ascension of the Lord Sunday and Pentecost Sunday. This year I’m going to wander to speak about a secular Sunday, Mother’s Day.

I can’t let Mother’s Day go by without a reflection from a very grateful son and very thankful widower, father of 3 sons and a daughter and grandfather of 2 granddaughters and 2 grandsons.  From my experience Mothers are very much the center of family, the heart of the family from which everything flows. As from the human heart flows all of the nutrition needed to sustain every part of the body allowing it to grow and develop and be as healthy as it can be, from a mother flows the love, care and sustenance allowing her offspring to grow and become contributing members of a family.  That growth in a family continues for countless years even after the young one is a contributing member of a larger community, country and world.  A mother’s love is endless and all encompassing whether the young ones are her natural children or adoptive children.

Mothers are gatherers who want their children around them.  When I was growing up there was a special dinner almost every Sunday evening and it was understood that we had better be there. My Memere (Grandmother) was almost always there as well. I sure missed that when I went away to attend university.  After being away for half a year or so I met Mary Lynne who later became my wife and her mother did the same and it was a treat to join their family on Sunday evening.  Even in their exhaustion after a full day there was always time for     anyone who wanted to talk or cuddle with Mom.  Mothers   always have time for their children and grandchildren.  Mothers are also the ones who gather the family together for prayer especially during the months of May and October, two months when our thoughts change to focus on Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Mothers are the strength of the family, always  listening for signs or signals that someone is hurting,  physically or emotionally. That's who mothers are, that’s how mothers are.  They’re that way with their spouses and siblings as well.  When someone in the family hurts, mom hurts and she will try to fix it up.

Mothers are organizers.  It seems that they are on top of things for every member of the family organizing homework, lunches, clothes, activities and the list goes on.

If you, a mother in our parish see yourself in some of the above, know how much you are loved and appreciated.  In closing I pray that God our loving Father, bless you and fill your heart to overflowing for being all that you are.

 

Deacon Raymond Lamarche