FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER - MAY 8, 2022

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

On this Mother’s Day, we honor all of the women who have raised us and formed us into children of God. In the Domestic Church, our individual mothers lead us to recognize our dignity and the love that is in our lives. In the Church Triumphant, the Virgin Mary embodies perfect motherhood over the souls in heaven and on earth. But on earth, we are also protected under the motherhood of our Holy Mother Church, which warmly welcomes us, consoles us, and guides us as a mother should.

READ THIS SUNDAY'S MESSAGE

While the rest of the world certainly sees the Church as an organizational institution, we understand that we are a part of something far more mystical and far more divine. The Church was not created or instituted by mere human beings; it was founded and brought forth by God Himself, present in the individual Jesus Christ. Therefore, its very essence and identity is mystical and divine, but still explainable. Christ acknowledges his Church as his Bride, and we are part of this Heavenly union. As members of the Church, we build up the Mystical Body of Christ and are united with Christ in this divine Matrimony. But on a daily basis, we find ourselves living as children of this union with Christ at our head and the Church as our mother. Motherhood itself can only be properly understood in its fullness by looking at the Church: it is formative, it is sacrificial, it is nourishing, and above all, it is loving. When we enter into the walls of our local church at any given time, we are being cradled by the warm and loving embrace of Our Holy Mother Church, which was an ability given to her by first learning it from her Bridegroom on the cross. By giving ourselves over to the motherhood of the Church, we are participating in a divine family, and as the parts that make up the Church, the Bridegroom embraces us and calls us as a shepherd embraces and calls his sheep.

FAMILIES, ACTIVATE!

Family activity to do at home: Motherhood is deeply connected to womanhood. While most mothers will spend this Sunday with their children and their husbands being showered with gifts or tokens and acts of love, mothers should also spend today reflecting on the nature of their motherhood as being tied to their womanhood. When God created the first humans, Scripture explicitly tells us that He intentionally created us male and female. Your motherhood is not a mere description of what you have done, but reveals something deeply about who you are as God created you. Mothers, as you spend time today with your families, please take some time to read this reflection and celebrate God’s calling for you.