MOTHER’S DAY
Fr. Al Demos
Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen!
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The greatest word in the English language is GOD! The most tender word is LOVE! The sweetest word is HOME! The dearest word is MOTHER! If we searched through the annals of all time, we would find that the most honored, most cherished and beloved name above all human names is MOTHER!
All throughout our nation we have the honor to dedicate this one singular day to our Mothers. It is a day set aside from all other days to express and proclaim our most profound dedication, love, respect and honor to our mothers. It was in our mother’s womb that God’s miracle of life began…It was her very blood that nourished our life within her until the very day of our birth in this world. It was her tender care and devoted love that kept her ever aware of our every need.
And whether we were born and raised by her, or she chose us by adoption, the nurturing love she provides fills our hearts with her royal love that can only come from deeply within this singular, special, unique woman. It is she who loves us so completely, so unconditionally, and who would sacrifice herself for us - without hesitation - in the blink of a second.
How she suffers whenever we feel pain…How she cries in those moments, and then in a wondrous display of faith, she sets aside her own tears, kneels down and folds her hands in prayer. What a tender, most precious state this is when she turns to the One who created us within her, trusting in Him, relying on Him, knowing in the surety of her faith that His Divine Will ever prevails within our lives.
Her love for her children is the closest reality of God’s love for humankind. No other love knows such sacrifice, such devotion, such tendering caring and concern. No wonder a mother has such a powerful influence in the lives of her children! That is why every mother holds such a special place in the hearts of her children. Her love, devotion and great self-sacrifice serve not only to show her love for her children, but provide a very powerful example for every child to follow.
What words bring the meaning of the word “mother” to our minds? The words love, devotion, virtue, honesty, modesty, truth, justice, sacrifice, patience, caring and sharing…and even combined together they cannot adequately define the love of a mother for her child or the love of a child for its mother. Mothers are not just a great source of devoted love; they are love in themselves, wellsprings of everything that is good, honorable and virtuous. We men know that in reality it is women who run the world and bear the tremendous responsibility in maintaining and rededicating themselves to all the virtues that are reflected in that most cherished name of all names – MOTHER!
So, on Mother’s Day, all of us need to pause and reflect on the sacred meanings we envision when we think of our mothers. Every boy looks up to his mother for the example of what is virtuous and good.
Also, on this day, we should honor each and every woman because all of you truly epitomize the virtues of goodness and purity. Liking the responsibility or not, the fact is that the weaker sex – the men - look to women for guidance in living a virtuous life in Christ. So, dear ladies, this is your day…mothers, godmothers, ladies who for one reason or another have not been blessed with children, as well as the women who chose not to marry - or who are still waiting for God to bless their life with a a child or a wholesome, loving respectful husband - this is your day!
Your goodness, your virtue, your example allows us to reflect on our need to rededicate our lives to Christ and to the principles so well exemplified when we study the Icon of the Holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord. She, of course, is the example of all examples of true motherhood and true Christianity…God chose her to bear His Only-Begotten Son...so, she is in fact the mother of all mothers, for her life celebrates true Christian love, true Christian virtue and true Christian purity. Her example is the epitome of what a mother can and should be.
So, it is only fitting that we set aside this one day of dedication to honor our blessed and much beloved mothers…as well as all of our loving examples of Christian virtue – all our precious ladies! We pray that God will bless each and every one of you with all His blessings and all His grace…and that we, your children be blessed by following your cherished example, respecting you in every way and imitating your virtues. Yes, words have particular sounds and special meanings. But that one word…that very unique and special word…resounds in your children’s ears with such a mystical, angelic ring whenever we say the word that sounds like a prayer…MOTHER!
If you are fortunate enough to have your mother near then go to her, kiss her hand, and tell her like never before how very much you truly love her. If she lives far away, then call her to express your love. If your mother has passed on, as has mine, then express your love for her to Almighty God in prayer and say a special prayer for her. Please, don’t hesitate, life is much too short. Let your mother know how important she is to you…express your love as fully and completely as possible. God’s most perfect and last creation is woman. And through her, God continues to perpetuate His creation. So today we honor you all, mothers and ladies, epitomes of grace, goodness and virtue…. Happy Mothers Day!