As we rapidly head toward the great feast of Pentecost (May 27th) which is considered the birth of the Church, we see this Sixth Sunday of Easter, Mother’s Day, bring us the account of Jesus telling His disciples to “Love one another.” In fact, Jesus tells us that there is no greater love than to lie down one’s life for a friend. Christ did just that for His friends—you and me. It is the ultimate expression of love that is accomplished both literally and figuratively by our parents, especially our mothers whom we celebrate this day. Their love is also unconditional. It is a love that calls us to be the best we can be—the potential that God has created in us. It is a love that calls us to excellence in all that we do and are. It is a love that nurtures and grows us in all that we may become. Christ tells us this in the context of the love His Father has for Him—and for us too. The love that God and the Son share is mirrored by the love that children and their parents have. A Godly love, make no mistake about it. The family, whom God commanded His only Son to be born into, is meant as a “sacramental” action in our lives…calling us to “lay down our lives” by being unselfish and giving, especially for those we love.
The love of which Christ speaks—the love that He shares with the Father and with us—is not a sentiment but rather a love of action. May our prayer this day and every day be one that calls us to recognize the gift of our families—our parents—and then be active in loving them as God loves us…forever.