Mother's Day and Ascension

It was just a routine drive to Pittsburgh to see one of my doctors, but for some reason, that trip stayed in my memory. About halfway there, my mother turned to me and said, “If I weren’t here, would you know how to get to the doctor’s office by yourself?” A little panic rose up inside of me. I thought, “What do you mean if you’re not here? Of course you’re going to be here.” But deep down I realized my mother was trying to tell me that she wouldn’t be around forever. She wanted to be sure I knew how to get to the place to which we had traveled countless times since I was a toddler. But more than that, she wanted to be sure that I would be ok on my own---no matter where life would take me.

There comes a time when every parent and child, every coach and athlete, every teacher and student, every mentor and mentee must part. While there is sadness in parting, there is joy in knowing that the child, athlete, student and mentee are able to thrive on their own because of the formation they received from their parent/s, coach, teacher and mentor. This is the essence of what we celebrate today, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Physically, Jesus left the Apostles. But his Spirit remained. On this day, we commemorate the reality that Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, is within us, around us and amongst us, to nurture and guide us until the end of time.

A Blessing for Mothers by Julianne Stanz

Loving God, we give you thanks and praise for all mothers.

We pray for mothers with young children, who witness to life while wiping tears, tending temper tantrums, and kissing scrapes and bruises. May they be blessed with patience, tenderness, and blessed sleep to care for their families and themselves with joy and tenderness.

We pray for our own mothers, wise women who nurtured and cared for us as we grew up, gained in confidence, and found our place in the world. May they know how much they are loved and continue to guide us with strength and wisdom.

We remember mothers who are separated from their children. May they feel the loving embrace of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother, who wraps them in comfort and care.

We pray for all the women in our lives who love us, care for us, and shape our lives. They have given us treasure more precious than jewels.

We remember women who are no longer with us but who live forever in our hearts. May we always feel their presence in our lives.

We give thanks for all women and for all mothers, and we praise and ask your continued blessing and protection upon them. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.