Homily: 5th Sun. In Easter YR C
“Moms, Like Christ, Show us the Model of Love”
May 9, 2004
by Fr. William Holtzinger

Blessings to all moms today. When we think of mom what other word association do you make? Think for a moment. I say “mom,” and you say what? (elicit responses from the community.)

All these adjectives or words are things we associate with mothers. They are loving, kind, protective, nurturing, etc. Other words come to mind: kitchen, Band-Aids, getting tucked into bed, thermometer, cheering in the bleachers, etc. Our mothers, and we all have one, have given more time and love than we will likely ever know. They are models for us in how to love. They teach us how to be like Christ by giving love and teaching us how to love others. Recall his final command to his disciples: “love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” Jesus’ life was perfect and we are called to imitate him. Yet, without daily examples in our lives, this command can be very difficult to live out. This is where our mothers have been given an enormous task. Now while our mothers are all sinners, we are to imitate the best of what they have taught us.

Jesus was also teaching his disciples another thing in this last night with his disciples. He was teaching them that he was leaving. He was telling them goodbye. We know that they didn’t want him to go. But, Jesus knew that it must happen. Most people don’t like to say goodbye. Some even have made it a point to never say “goodbye,” but instead “see you later.” From one point of view, goodbye’s are too final to deal with. They signal the end of a relationship. They signal the end of something that we may not want. But, goodbye’s are an essential part of life. It may very well show the greatest form of love. Jesus had to go in order to prepare a place for us all. Letting go was something that all the disciples had to do in order for Christ to win over Satan and prepare for his ultimate return. Our mothers are also given a similar commission, that is to teach us how to say goodbye to our dependence on her or ourselves and depend on the one who she imitates, our Savior. Mothers are called to let go and say goodbye to all of us at sometime. It is only in this letting go that we can finally have our own lives. Similarly in letting our own lives go into the hands of Christ will we truly find our purpose.

Mother’s Day is a time that reminds us of the gift of those special women who have been there when we were growing up. It gives us a time to honor the sacrifices they have made for us. But, let us not forget that their lives, like Mary, are pointers to Jesus who shows us the ultimate form of love. And in learning how to sacrifice and say goodbye to our own wants, we die to ourselves and find a new life which finds its source in the author of love: Christ.

Thank you moms! Thank you for showing us the example of love which Christ commissioned his disciples to live. Happy Mother’s Day!