Perhaps
this is the spirit of today Gospel (Matt.
25:14-30) that we take the chance and invest our life. There are always
risks involved but in the end wouldn't it be great to hear God say to us,
"Well done good and faithful servant, come share my joy!"
And who
better to teach us the art of taking a risk, of investing our life but mothers.
They are our first and most significant teachers and today we honor a very
famous mother St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine.
St. Monica
is a saint because she was a mother, a mother who cared, a mother who didn’t
give up, a mother who didn’t forget, a mother who took a chance, who invested
her life. She spent her life praying for her family, asking God to change their
hearts, so that they might find the presence of God in their lives.
Mothers
are unique people. From the very beginning of life they give of themselves
totally. They give of themselves physically by creating our first home in this
world, the womb. They give of themselves physically by offering us our first
nourishment, both inside the womb and outside once we enter the world, so that
we can begin to grow into the person God has created us to be. Mother’s give of
themselves emotionally caring, nurturing protecting and guiding us as encounter
the world around us. And finally mothers give spiritually, holding us always in
their prayers, storming heaven, being present to God so that we make out way
safely through life.
St.
Monica is a wonderful model of motherhood. She never gave up on her family,
especially her son. I am sure she had some days of struggle. I am sure she
questioned God at times. I am sure she carried the extra burden that all
mothers do, but she never gave up, she never stopped recognizing the
possibilities.
In our
world we sometimes hear stories of mothers who give up however from my
perspective they are few far between given the untold stories of mothers who
never give up. On this feast of St. Monica, we have the opportunity to offer a
prayer of thanks for our own mothers and all mothers. We have to opportunity to
offer a prayer for all mothers especially new mothers, young mother, mothers in
the midst of raising a family that they will always have the strength to give
when no one else seems to give and that they will continue to never give up on
us!
And in
the spirit of the Gospel – Let us be good and faithful servants by giving
thanks and offering a prayer for mothers today! Have a great Saturday everyone!
Daily
Prayer:
Loving
God, we pray today through the intercession of St. Monica for all mothers, grant
them the grace to appreciate the dignity, grace and blessing which you have
given them as mothers. Help them to realize that not even the Angels have been
blessed with the privilege to share in your creative miracle of bringing new
life into the world. Bless all mothers today and help them to be good,
faithful, caring, nurturing and strong after the example of Mary, the Mother of
your Son. Through the grace of Jesus’ love and the intercession Mary and Monica
we ask your continued blessings upon all families. Let mothers and fathers be
dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your
kingdom in heaven. Amen!
A
Runner’s Thoughts: “I run because long after my footprints fade away, maybe I
will have inspired a few to reject the easy path, hit the trails, put one foot
in front of the other, and come to the same conclusion I did: I run because it
always takes me where I want to go.” (Dean
Karnazes) And so to in the spiritual life…
Daily
Blessings:
Saturday greetings and blessings to all! I hope your day has started off well
and that you have been gifted at least by nature with a beautiful day!
In the
spirit of St. Monica whom we honor today a shout out to all mothers that the
gift of St. Monica’s spirit will be with you throughout your journey as
mothers. And a prayer of thanks to all mothers, both living a deceased for
their strength, courage, faithfulness and love!
I pray
for God’s blessings upon all of you today that your day will be filled with
many positives and that the negatives will only be fleeting moments. May the
richness of God’s grace and blessings be upon all you, upon everyone you meet
and upon everyone you love! May there be many words, signs and people of
encouragement in your life today! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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