A Mother's Heart: Love, Sacrifices, and Mary's Example

We honour our mothers this weekend remembering their acts of love and we also think of our heavenly mother, Mother Mary’s love for us.1.Essence of a mother’s love-Love for childrenFor mothers, her children are her blessings. E.g. in the petitions that we hear week after week-mothers are praying for their children and even family members. Why do mothers go that extra mile for their children? It is their love for their children.2.Challenges of motherhoodMothers endure a lot of sacrifices for their children. E.g. balance of work and family, health issues, complexities of this world of being parents. Let us appreciate the challenges that they have to endure. Even more so as a single parent. We look towards Mary who suffered, even as her son was being tortured, she still kept her faith in God, knowing that God is in charge.After the annunciation, Mary shouldered the responsibility of protecting and nurturing the foundation of faith even though the death threats from Pharaoh were forthcoming. She saw her son dying cruelly on the cross. Mary was there for Jesus from start to end. She is there for us as well. That’s what our mothers do so well, they teach us the resilience, they teach us the faith, they keep us going, growing and glowing and this is the gift of you mothers.Let us make a conscious effort to be with our mothers and parents, showing them love.Happy mothers’ day and a blessing to you all always!- Novena Devotion by Br. Celestine Toh, C.Ss.R. (10 May 2025)