MOTHERS WHO NEVER STOP LOVING THEIR CHILDREN

Let us always thank our mothers for saying “yes”, both the mothers still here and those who are already enjoying the Eternal Glory happily in Heaven; I remember the encounter of two well-known mothers of unshakeable faith, who showed their love for God and their children. They were cousins, Mary and Elizabeth. The Gospel of St. Luke tells us “then Mary got up and hurried to the hill country, to a town in Judea. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed with a loud voice, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Lk 1:39-45).

As soon as Mary was announced that she would be the mother of the Savior, she hastened to serve her cousin Elizabeth, an elderly woman who was also expecting a child. Mary was a young woman full of love for God the Father and the Son, who was already in her womb, and for her family. Both shared the joy of motherhood and the Grace of the Holy Spirit. This encounter evokes the first Pentecost; two women, two children, and the living presence of the Spirit. Hope filled their wombs; the life they carried within them was a gift from God. These two mothers not only accepted to be mothers but also accepted God’s Will, their trust and faith in the Heavenly Father, as they offered their children to Him, which shows that our children come from the Creator and that we must recognize them as first and foremost His children.

However, both mothers would face great pain as their children would be martyred. One might ask, “why did God allow this”? Some mysteries are beyond our understanding, but what we do know is that their faith did not waver. The Virgin Mary saw her Son suffer and die, but she never denied God. Her trust extended far beyond death, for she firmly believed in the Resurrection and Eternal Life. Today, she and her Son are in Heaven as are Elizabeth and her son, John the Baptist. This Truth is a comfort to all mothers who have lost their children that Hope in God transcends suffering and that is why I dedicate this newsletter to all mothers, thanking them for saying “yes”, for their love of their children and especially for those who today suffer for their children who have disappeared or have died for whatever reason. I encourage them to put their trust in God the Father and to look to the example of the Virgin Mary, for although her Son was Perfect, He still faced evil. In the end, however, His death and Resurrection are Salvation for those who believe in Him. Now she is with her Son in Heaven, as is Saint Elizabeth.

I was moved by the message shared by Pope Francis, after his last hospitalization only 3 days after being discharged, he shared that Wednesday General Audience, without being able to be there yet, a reflection on the encounter that Jesus had with Nicodemus one night and with a woman at midday. I have preached about the Samaritan woman countless times because this encounter is very profound and allows us to know the Heart of Jesus encountering those who suffer because of a painful past. Let us recall the details of this encounter, “she came to a village in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from His journey, sat down by the well. It was midday. A Samaritan woman came to draw water […]”; I invite you to take your Bible and read this passage fully (John 4:5-18).

The Pope elaborated, “perhaps this woman was ashamed of her life, she felt judged and condemned, and that is why she isolated herself…but Jesus sought her out, thirsting not only for water but also for her faith.” Just as the Samaritan woman left her water jar behind when she recognized true love in Jesus, we too can lay our past at His feet and find a new Life. Only people, reconciled with their history, can follow the Gospel. Jesus certainly wants us all to be able to leave a painful past behind and this woman experienced that. She ends up leaving the amphora, that water jar, at Jesus’ feet. This is how the Pope puts it, “like a person in love, the Samaritan woman forgets her amphora at the feet of Jesus. The weight of that amphora on her head, every time she returned home, reminded her of her condition, her troubled life. But now the amphora is placed at the feet of Jesus. The past is no longer a burden; she is reconciled. And the same thing happens to us, to go and proclaim the Gospel in truth, we first have to lay the burden of our history at the Lord’s feet, hand over the burden of our past to Him. Only reconciled people can proclaim the Gospel as witnesses of God’s Grace.

Throughout history, mothers have been the heart of the Church, passing on the Faith by their example and prayer. In times of persecution and trial, they have courageously sustained their families and communities, trusting in God’s Promises. Saint Monica, through her tireless intercession, obtained the conversion of her son Augustine, who became one of the greatest saints of the Church. Like her, many mothers have shed tears and offered prayers for their children, trusting that God is working in their hearts.

To all mothers, thank you for your love and sacrifice. To those who have lost a child, I encourage you to trust in God, for just as Mary entrusted her Son to the Father, we can trust in His Merciful Love. May every mother find strength in Mary, who accompanies us with her tenderness and always guides us to her Son.

I miss my mother very much, but my heart is filled with joy in believing that she is happy in Eternity, where there are no more illnesses or problems and that Truth fills me with Hope. In this month dedicated to mothers, let us not just celebrate one day but always thank God for the gift of our mothers. Jesus, from the Cross, offered us His when He proclaimed “here is your mother” the Virgin Mary. (cf. John 19:26-27).

I remember with gratitude the words in that last message that Pope Francis addressed to us during our recent visit, where he mentioned my mother and addressed this message to everyone, “take a moment to think of your mothers, living or in Heaven and give thanks for the legacy of love that only she can give”.

I thank my mother for saying yes, my wife Sara and my daughter Kyrene for saying yes too and all the mothers who have supported ESNE with their prayers and generosity. You are true Sowers of Jesus with Mary, who day by day make possible ESNE, now in its 41st year, with a message of unconditional love, the love of a mother that continues to move forward the message of Salvation that none perish but all are Saved, trusting in God’s Providence. I invite those who have not yet registered for their Consecration to Jesus through the I am the 73 project to call us at (818) 912-5842 or send us an email at info@iam73.net, and you will be helped with registration to experience this great blessing.

I look forward to seeing you at the Mother’s Day Breakfast and, of course, to all of you, Happy Mother’s Day!

With gratitude and prayer,

Noel Díaz