FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART
– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade (bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)
VI SUNDAY OF EASTER.
Introduction: Today’s Scripture passages declare the profound truth that those who believe in Christ are to obey his commandment of love – “Love others as I have loved you.” When we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us remember with gratitude that it is generally our mothers who practice the agápe love of Jesus
1 – THAT IS THE KIND OF LOVE I WANT IN MY LIFE
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. The medic took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. Since he, himself, was not busy, the medic took time to evaluate the man’s wound.
The wound was well healed, and so he talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, the medic asked his patient if he had another doctor’s appointment as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman said that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. In answer to the medic’s question about her health, the old man responded that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s disease.
When the medic asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late, the man replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. The medic was surprised, and asked him why, if his wife didn’t know who he was, he went every morning faithfully for breakfast with her. The old man smiled and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.” The medic, with tears in his eyes, said to himself, “That is the kind of love I want in my life.”
True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. In today’s Gospel Jesus commands us to practice this type of sacrificial and selfless agápe love as he practiced it.
2 – RUNNING TO HER MOTHER’S ARMS
Claudia, a successful 31-year-old girl, has lived with her mother in her mother’s apartment all her life. Her mother is a very simple woman with no studies, no driver’s license and no job.
Because she was already 31 years old, Claudia decided that it was time to leave the nest and decided to rent an apartment close to her mother’s house. All the arrangements were finalized. According to her, to avoid the «temptation» of returning to her mother’s home she even bought new furniture. The day came and she moved. Claudia changed her clothes and was ready to go to bed. Then all of sudden she got this strange feeling: «This is my first night alone. This is my first night away from my mom. What if I am afraid? ». Claudia got up, changed her clothes again to her working clothes and went to bed properly dressed just in case she felt the need during the night to run to her mother’s arms. Just in case.
Looking at that beautiful and professional woman, who would ever guess that inside of her there was this «baby» permanently in need of a mother’s presence, affection and protection? Then I realized that inside a gentle lady or inside a tough man there is always a baby in need of a mother’s presence, affection and protection.
I keep believing that a mother’s love is the most profound image of God’s love for us. Even when we try to run away from God we always have this strange feeling. Away from God is very dangerous, very lonely and very scary.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Love and Peace, Fr. Bernardino Andrade