Christ the Cornerstone

As mothers do, our call is to share God’s life-giving love

The Scripture readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter speak to us about love. “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God,” St. John tells us in the second reading (1 Jn 4:7). “Everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God” (1 Jn 4:7).

Because we are just six weeks removed from our observance of Holy Week with its intense focus on the passion and death of our Redeemer, our understanding of “love” is not romantic or sentimental. The kind of love that we witnessed in Jesus’ crucifixion is utterly selfless and sacrificial. Similarly, the kind of motherly love we saw in Mary as she stood at the foot of the cross was humble and filled with compassion for her son.

Christian love seeks to reflect the love that is God’s inner life. It is generous, thoughtful, kind and compassionate. As St. John tells us, God’s love is life-giving:

“In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him” (1 Jn 4:9).

Of course, God the Father chose Mary to be his partner in the Incarnation of his only begotten Son, and she said “yes.” Through the power of the Holy Spirit, with the generous consent of the Virgin Mary, the God who is love became one of us “that we might have life through him” (1 Jn 4:9).

This is the love that we celebrate during this Easter season. It’s a form of love that is never exclusive or judgmental, but is available to anyone. As St. Peter proclaims in Sunday’s first reading:

“ ‘In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.’ … While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word” (Acts 10:34-35, 44).

The gift of the Holy Spirit, which we will joyfully celebrate in two weeks on the Solemnity of Pentecost, opens our hearts to the love of God. This same gift compels us to share with everyone we meet the redemptive love we have experienced in Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

On Mother’s Day, which we also celebrate this Sunday, we recognize the many sacrifices that mothers make when they bring new life into the world and then tenderly nourish, guide and support their children as they grow to maturity. By its very nature, motherhood is

life-giving, but when it reflects the love of God for his family, motherly love is also courageous and self-sacrificing.

Pope Francis has often said that his favorite image of the Church is that of a “loving mother.” A mother who loves her children may be fiercely protective; she may be unrelenting in her desire for a child’s best interests; and she may be capable of heroic acts of self-giving in her support of her children. As the Holy Father says, the Church is most faithful to her mission when she follows the example of Mary, and all loving mothers, in her fidelity to her children.

The love that we celebrate during the Easter season is especially joy-filled. It’s the love that has overcome the darkness of sin and death, shining the light of truth and peace on a weary, troubled world. After more than a year of pandemic, social unrest and economic hardships, we wholeheartedly welcome the Holy Spirit’s gift of redemptive and healing love. As Jesus says in this Sunday’s Gospel:

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:11-13).

Our joy is complete when we love God and each other as Jesus loves us. This means surrendering our own interests in obedience to God’s will for us. It also means laying down our lives for others. This is what mothers do (and fathers, too) when they sacrifice their own interests for the good of their families.

Our culture too often speaks of love in terms of self-gratification and the fulfillment of our personal desires. There is certainly an element of emotional satisfaction in relationships that are truly loving, but any attempt to see love as primarily focused on self is doomed to failure and disappointment. True love is meant to be an expression of total self-giving for the sake of those we love. Anything less is unworthy of the love we celebrate during this season of Easter joy.

A blessed and happy Mother’s Day to all mothers! †