Sunday Homily 5-9-10, Mother’s Day, 1st Communion, & 6th Easter
Readings: Acts 15, 1-2, 22-29; Psalm 67, O God, let all the Nations praise You; Revelation 21, 10-23; John 14, 23-29.
Acts: a quick summary of the facts–
Author: Luke, a "doctor," a Gentile who converted to Judaism and then became a follower of Jesus.
Date: Maybe before, but more likely after the two big dates–
70 C.E. failure of the Jewish revolt against Rome & destruction of the temple.
88 C.E. the Jews who were followers of Jesus leave the synagogue and go on alone.
Material: story of the early Christian communities, not totally historical.
Mother's Day: a brief history–
1. Greece & Rome: Cybele was the mother of all gods
2. in the U.S.
a. Julia Ward Howe: during Civil War, ca. 1870, as a counter to the tragedy
b. Anna Jarvis: 1912, pushed for 2nd Sunday of May, Mother's Day, with emphasis on the apostrophe, i.e., a single mother of a family, not all mothers. Ended up regretting the day because of commercializaiton in the 40's before she died. Hated Hallmark Cards' canned messages instead of personal notes.
c. President Woodrow Wilson: 1912, made it a national holiday.
Sources: Legacy Project & Wikipedia
A Mother's Day Story
A year or so after I returned from East Africa, so around '88 or '89, my mom had to go into the hospital for some minor treatment. She was living at home and I was living at Jesuit, though I went to visit her every day.
On this particular day I was driving her west on LBJ from Preston to go to what was called at that time, Deadman Medical Center. It is on LBJ between Marsh Lane & Webb Chapel.
As we ride along she reaches over with her left hand, pats me on the right leg, and says, "I'm proud of you."
Wow! That blew me away. I was really touched inside. Here I am just back from about 10 years in East Africa. I've been a Jesuit by then 30 years, more or less. And my mom's affirmation still meant so much.
Two events happened in that car. One, my mother used words to affirm me. Secondly, she touched me in a tender, affirming way. The result: inner peace, just what is mentioned in today's gospel, the gift, ultmate gift.
If you are like I was when I grew up, I did not have enough positive stroking and certainly I lacked touch.
You mothers, daughters, married, singles, all of you. You got the gift. You can bring peace with two simple acts, a word and a touch.
With whom and how many times a day do you share your gift?
Picture 1: 3 of the 8 men who all gathered to bless the foreheads of all the female members of the community as our entrance rite, Tony Bob, & Richard
Picture 2: Fred blessing Rosemary's forehead with blessed ointment
Picture 3: Jeff Morrow & Bob McGrath blessing the foreheads of the female members of the community in their section
Picture 4: Cole receiving his first communion with his mom, Gail
Picture 5: Shelby receiving her first communion from her mom, Debbie
