Sunday, May 10, 2026 – The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Today is Mother’s Day and we want to wish a sincere Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in our parish community. Thank you for the gift you are to your children, for giving them birth and your witness raising them in faith and to be good citizens in our communities.
On this Mother’s Day, I am drawn to reflect on a certain mother whose name is Mary, the mother and first disciple of Jesus. This is the same Mary I have dedicated my life to in the Society of Mary. As I attempt to be faithful to my Marianist vocation, I desire to follow her example as a disciple of Jesus to the best of my ability.
Scripture offers us a number of references about her life. What comes to my attention today is her canticle as she meets her relative Elizabeth in the opening chapter of Luke’s Gospel:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lonely servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever. (46-55)
In this “song of praise,” Mary gives witness to the goodness and the saving power of God. She could still be processing what happened at the Annunciation with Gabriel, when she learned and accepted that she would be the mother of Jesus. Yet, her praise and trust in God is clearly proclaimed in the words above.
As you read, pray and reflect on her canticle of praise, how do her words come true in your life based on your own life experience? In the midst of our own struggles, tensions and questions, we can proclaim and be thankful for the goodness of God and be thankful that we have such a wonderful spiritual mother who leads us to God.