Today is the Sixth Sunday of Easter. That means that in one week we will be celebrating the Ascension of the Lord, and in two weeks the Pentecost Sunday. Anyway, today is also Mother’s Day, and mothers always end up «stealing the show,» so today we can’t help but talk about mothers in the homily. Nevertheless, let us at least say a few words about today’s readings and then we will finish with the main course: «mothers».
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and the importance of living our faith with love and obedience to God’s commandments.
In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we witness the remarkable impact of Philip’s proclamation of Christ in the city of Samaria. The unclean spirits were cast out, the paralyzed were healed and great joy filled the city. There was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that produced a profound conversion and a renewed sense of hope among the people. When we say YES to the Holy Spirit in the challenge of the Evangelization, God becomes present in unthinkable ways.
In the second reading, St. Peter encourages us to proclaim Christ as Lord of our hearts. We are called to live in hope and to explain our faith to others. But this explanation should not be given arrogantly or defensively. On the contrary, we should approach it with gentleness and a clear conscience. Our behavior should reflect the goodness of Christ, even in the face of adversity. It is better, even if we don´t understand it, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, thus following in the footsteps of Christ, who suffered for us, leading us to God.
And finally, in the Gospel, Jesus promises his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate who will always be with us. This Spirit of truth will guide us and dwell in us, enlightening us.
Only through love can we understand the work of salvation and only through love can we understand the intimate unity of the Holy Trinity, which Christ revealed to his disciples. To love and to fulfill the commandments are the same thing, and that´s why the Father and the Son dwell in the believer when he receives the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Now that we are approaching Pentecost, let us ask more strongly for the outpouring of this Spirit.
And as we said, we cannot fail to say a few words about mothers.
Today is the day we set aside time to recognize and appreciate the immense love, sacrifice and influence that mothers have in our lives. They hold a unique place in our hearts and in society, and today we give thanks for the extraordinary gift they are to us.
When we think of the word «mother,» we evoke a deep sense of warmth, tenderness and affection. Mothers have an exceptional capacity to shower us with love and care, comfort us in times of distress and inspire us to achieve our dreams.
They are the first to hold us in their arms, who teach us our first words and guide us when we take our first steps.
They give themselves, putting aside their own needs for the sake of their children.
They are the ones who wake up in the middle of the night to tend to a crying baby, who spend countless hours making meals, doing the laundry, always waiting for their children to return.
A good mother always gives her all without expecting anything in return.
No woman can replace the love of a mother.
No one will stay awake for you, pray for you, cry for you or rejoice in your happiness as your mother does.
But let’s not forget that motherhood goes beyond biological bonds. There are many women who have taken on the role of mother. Motherhood is not defined solely by blood or fertility. There are so many who embrace motherhood, without giving birth, only out of love and compassion. While there are so many others who reject motherhood and close themselves off to the gift of new life.
However, as we celebrate the joy and beauty of motherhood, we also recognize that this day can bring with it a mix of emotions, a bittersweet taste. Some of us have suffered the loss of a mother or her absence. Let us also honor the memory of those mothers who are no longer with us, let us pray and give thanks for them.
In our gratitude, let us not limit our appreciation to a single day of the year. Every day is an opportunity to show them love.
In this Eucharist we present on the altar the lives of all our mothers, our grandmothers and all the women who have said yes to life, to the gift of marriage and motherhood.
Today we commend our mothers to the protection of Mary, she, as mother par excellence, because she is the Mother of God, will know how to forge the hearts of the mothers who entrust themselves to her care. There is no Mother like her, there is no motherly heart like Mary’s. May she know how to keep us all in her care. May she know how to keep us all in the same love of Jesus Christ. May she obtain for us the grace from heaven to recognize the greatness, delicacy and beauty of what motherhood means.
May God bless all mothers, today and always, Happy Mother’s Day! Amen.
Caballeros Trinitarios 