Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

I think we all have special stories or memories about our mothers. A time or a moment that was just special or unique to you, as her child. I remember one such special event when I was in fifth grade. My mother packed a picnic basket of fried chicken and met me at Church, where my friend Larry and I had just finished serving Mass. She walked with us to Rainbow Beach, where we spent the morning jumping in the waters of Lake Michigan and having lunch on the sand.

Years later, I realized that she did this to make me feel special. The relationship was unique and it created memories that would last a lifetime. Of course, in the later years when I would be testy with my mother or tease her about something that she said or did, she would often say, “Wait, you’ll miss me when I’m gone!”

In the movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” Mel Gibson portrayed the relationship of Jesus and Mary in a wonderful and human manner. In one scene, Jesus is depicted as a little boy who is running, then falls and scrapes his knee. He starts crying and, of course, his mother, Mary, hurried to grasp her child in her arms to comfort him. That little boy would, in his later years, fall three times on the road to Calvary – his mother feeling every bit of the pain her son endured.

In another scene from the movie, one that really stands out for me, Mary was examining a new piece of furniture created by her son the carpenter.

“What do you call this?” She asked Jesus.

“Mother, it’s a table,” Jesus replied. “People will sit at it to eat and converse.”

“Oh! It will never catch on,” Mary said. Laughing, Jesus catches her in his arms in a gesture of spontaneous affection. The humanity of this mother and son relationship that is captured in that movie, reflects the wonderful relationship that is often given to us as we journey through life.

I know that many have their own personal “mom” moments, and I hope that last Sunday you took some time to reflect and give thanks for the one who made you feel special, by whispering a prayer and giving thanks. If your mom is still with you, consider yourself blessed and make sure you continue to share moments together. If she’s gone to God, hold her in your heart.

My mom was right – I do miss her. But, I am so grateful for her love which strengthens me to fulfill Jesus’ call to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the May 12, 2015 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.