Resurrection and Mothers’ Day
We have eighteen days left in Eastertide (or the Great Fifty Days of Easter). We are still celebrating the joy of the Resurrection. The Paschal Candle remains lit when we worship as a reminder of the hope that carries us from darkness to light. If that spirit and gladness of the Resurrection have worn off, or you are anticipating a summer vacation to the mountains or the beach, don’t worry; you still have plenty of days to praise God for the victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ. Easter is still going strong!
This coming Sunday is Mothers’ Day. If you forgot, or maybe you overlooked it with the craziness that the end of the school and program year entails, don’t worry; you have a few days left to get a gift or card or maybe make a reservation for lunch on Sunday (after you come to worship, of course). We celebrate all women who have been mothers in some way, shape, or form throughout our lives. We honor the women who gave us life in many ways – physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Perhaps this Sunday is a way to commemorate the mother figures in our lives and remember the Resurrection, which gives us new life and beginnings.
In John’s Gospel, Jesus proclaimed, “I am resurrection and life.” This statement is profound and encompasses not only the future and past but also the present. Our mothers were given to us by God to lead, protect, and, most importantly, love us. Our existence is due to both our mothers and the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus. What better way to celebrate Easter than to lift the women who made a difference in our lives and did their best to direct and guide us through life? Some of the most critical women showed me what it meant to live a whole life, and I thank God for their roles and how they shaped my life.
However you recognize and celebrate our mothers this Sunday, let’s also praise God for motherhood and how it has changed and enriched our lives. Let’s boldly declare, “Alleluia! Christ is risen!” for the rest of these Great Fifty Days. And let’s not forget the presence of God, who is always making things new and giving us new life!
Father Tim