John 15:9-17
Love is one of the most used words and probably the most misunderstood. Love has been used in songs, hair sprays, and to sell cars. Can’t go a single day without hearing the familiar word.
Obviously the over use of the word has cheapened the meaning. Countless are reluctant to enter into a life-long covenant because they have seen the consequences of those who have failed to keep their word. “I love you” is easy to say, not always easy to live. Even Jesus told His disciples, don’t tell me that you love me, show me. In essence that’s what He meant by stating, “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love…” So what happens to those of us who have not kept His commandments? Is the majority of the human race out of favor with God? Through the centuries we have made covenants with God and have never been able to live up to our end of the agreement. God has been faithful, we have not. Prophets, teachers, Apostles—they have all failed. Only one stands out as faithful—the Blessed Mother. She was not only conceived without sin, she never sinned during her life on earth. Although Mary is not perfect, because only God is perfect—She’s our model of holiness—one hundred percent human. Ironically, the least important—an insignificant woman—became more powerful than all the mighty Kings who were unfaithful. Mary speaks very few times in the Bible. She never preached a sermon. The Blessed Mother did not administer any of the Sacraments—but She became the Sacrament—the living Tabernacle of the Christ Child. Before any Pope or Bishop or Priest could say, “The Body of Christ.” Mary said, “The Body of Christ” with her womb and was the instrument that God chose for our salvation.
We have a Mother. Dare we say, sounds more meaningful than “We have a Pope.” The Holy Father would be the first to acknowledge the importance of Mary in the plan of God. We get distracted by the drama, the activities, the sensationalism and we forget the simple stuff. We have a Mother. Mary at times gets pushed to the bottom of the list of priorities. Folks have been heard to say, “I don’t get anything out of the Rosary.” That’s OK. The Rosary is not for everybody. As long as we do not forget her importance in our life. The month of October and the month of May are dedicated to Mary. At least twice a year we remember that We have a Mother. Sort of like Mother’s Day. Don’t know about the rest of you, but every day is Mother’s Day at the Barrera house.
When Mother is happy, everybody’s happy. The opposite is also true. Often said that the Mother is the heart of the home. We salute all Mothers today—both living and those who have gone to God. We cannot possibly understand unconditional love because we are limited creatures. However, the love of a Mother gets awfully close. Perhaps that’s where the saying comes from, “The face that only a Mother could love.” So many struggle as single parents. So many have had to put up with infidelity. Some have been the victims of violence. In spite of all the turmoil, there is hope for the world. God has not changed His mind about us. The Blessed Mother continues to intercede for us. The least we can do is to try. We can try to be a little bit more patient with each other. God’s presence is felt in the world to the extent that we are charitable. No one is going to believe in God the Father if they do not have a loving father at home. Folks will not believe in Mary without the love of a mother at home. Children cannot understand about unity when they have no reference at home. Home is our starting point for Faith, for keeping the commandments, for loving each other. In a disposable society mentality the challenge is always before us. Our greatest weapon is love.
Anything of value comes at a great price. Love involves sacrifice. The greatest was made by Jesus for us. We are still learning how to love.
Love is one of the most used words and probably the most misunderstood. Love has been used in songs, hair sprays, and to sell cars. Can’t go a single day without hearing the familiar word.
Obviously the over use of the word has cheapened the meaning. Countless are reluctant to enter into a life-long covenant because they have seen the consequences of those who have failed to keep their word. “I love you” is easy to say, not always easy to live. Even Jesus told His disciples, don’t tell me that you love me, show me. In essence that’s what He meant by stating, “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love…” So what happens to those of us who have not kept His commandments? Is the majority of the human race out of favor with God? Through the centuries we have made covenants with God and have never been able to live up to our end of the agreement. God has been faithful, we have not. Prophets, teachers, Apostles—they have all failed. Only one stands out as faithful—the Blessed Mother. She was not only conceived without sin, she never sinned during her life on earth. Although Mary is not perfect, because only God is perfect—She’s our model of holiness—one hundred percent human. Ironically, the least important—an insignificant woman—became more powerful than all the mighty Kings who were unfaithful. Mary speaks very few times in the Bible. She never preached a sermon. The Blessed Mother did not administer any of the Sacraments—but She became the Sacrament—the living Tabernacle of the Christ Child. Before any Pope or Bishop or Priest could say, “The Body of Christ.” Mary said, “The Body of Christ” with her womb and was the instrument that God chose for our salvation.
We have a Mother. Dare we say, sounds more meaningful than “We have a Pope.” The Holy Father would be the first to acknowledge the importance of Mary in the plan of God. We get distracted by the drama, the activities, the sensationalism and we forget the simple stuff. We have a Mother. Mary at times gets pushed to the bottom of the list of priorities. Folks have been heard to say, “I don’t get anything out of the Rosary.” That’s OK. The Rosary is not for everybody. As long as we do not forget her importance in our life. The month of October and the month of May are dedicated to Mary. At least twice a year we remember that We have a Mother. Sort of like Mother’s Day. Don’t know about the rest of you, but every day is Mother’s Day at the Barrera house.
When Mother is happy, everybody’s happy. The opposite is also true. Often said that the Mother is the heart of the home. We salute all Mothers today—both living and those who have gone to God. We cannot possibly understand unconditional love because we are limited creatures. However, the love of a Mother gets awfully close. Perhaps that’s where the saying comes from, “The face that only a Mother could love.” So many struggle as single parents. So many have had to put up with infidelity. Some have been the victims of violence. In spite of all the turmoil, there is hope for the world. God has not changed His mind about us. The Blessed Mother continues to intercede for us. The least we can do is to try. We can try to be a little bit more patient with each other. God’s presence is felt in the world to the extent that we are charitable. No one is going to believe in God the Father if they do not have a loving father at home. Folks will not believe in Mary without the love of a mother at home. Children cannot understand about unity when they have no reference at home. Home is our starting point for Faith, for keeping the commandments, for loving each other. In a disposable society mentality the challenge is always before us. Our greatest weapon is love.
Anything of value comes at a great price. Love involves sacrifice. The greatest was made by Jesus for us. We are still learning how to love.
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