In celebrating Mothers Day this weekend, we acknowledge and pay tribute to all St Brigid’s mothers and mothering. I make that distinction because I know that on occasions and in different circumstances that many other people including aunts, stepparents, grandparents, dads and close family friends fulfil the primary mothering role in families.

We also pray as a Catholic community for mothers everywhere. We think about how children and mothers who have been forcibly separated through government policy, war, or natural disaster are feeling. We think about how women and children affected by domestic violence are feeling. We think about woman who suffer great loss, harassment and abuse are feeling.

But hopefully we do more than think. We pray, we speak out and stand up for mothers everywhere, for peace and equality. In Luke’s Gospel (1:46-55) we read Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat, and pray that it will be an inspiration to us. Mary imagines a world that reflects the face of God’s love and compassion, where all are fed and every hurt is removed, and where a strong light is thrown on the face of human degradation and suffering. This is a different image of Mary from the often-romanticised view of her as forever patient and suffering.

Mothering is an act of faith. There are no guarantees of the outcome, there can be great pain as well as joy, tears as well as laughter. There’s no room for ego, but there’s always plenty of people ready to judge and label you. I invite all mothers to place justice for self at the core of their thoughts and actions. If mothers are called to show love, compassion, and justice to others, they need to show themselves that same respect.

Let us pray…

Spirit of Life, today we remember the women, named and nameless, who through the ages have used the power and the gifts which you gave them to change the world. We refer to these mothers who went before us to help us discover in ourselves this power, and how to use it in such a way that we help to advance a kingdom of justice and peace.

We remember Sarah, who with Abraham responded to God’s call to leave the land in which she was born and to put her trust in a covenant with God. We pray for her strength in faith.

We remember Esther and Deborah, who saved their people through acts of personal courage. We pray for their strength to be bold, to act in the interest of the greatest good.

We remember Mary Magdalene and the other women who followed Jesus and were not believed when they proclaimed the resurrection. We pray for their strength to believe against the temptation to doubt.

We remember Phoebe, Priscilla and the other feminine leaders of the early Church. We pray for their strength to spread the gospel and inspire communities.

We remember Teresa of Avila and Catherine of Siena, who strongly opposed the corruption of the Church at the time of the Renaissance. We pray for their power with which they try to hand things on to us.

 We pray for the women who are victims of violence in their own homes, that power will be given them to overcome their anxiety and look for solutions.

We pray for the women who stand face to face with a life of poverty and undernourishment. That power be given them to hold fast and open possibilities for all women.

We pray for daughters and granddaughters, that power may be given them to seek happiness in their lives.

We have stood silently in the power of many women from the past and present.  Now it is time to stand by ourselves. In each of us there is the same life, light and love, and within us lie the seeds of power and glory. 

Spirit of life, be with us in our mission as we celebrate this special day. Amen