Director of Mission

The Month of Mary

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‘If Christ has not risen from the dead, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.’ (1Cor15:14)

During this Eastertide, which concludes on 4 June, Pentecost Sunday, we listen to the weekly Mass readings as a way of reflecting on our life and its relationship to God. Easter provides the most central belief of our Christian faith.

St Paul writes to the Corinthians in a certain term that if the physical resurrection of Jesus did not occur, then our Christian faith is hollow and built on falsehood. Did the Apostles truly believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus? Did Jesus rise from the dead three days after His crucifixion and now is ‘at the right hand of the Father’?

The answer is found in the way that the Apostles emerged from hiding and placed their lives on the line when they proclaimed the good news of Easter. Stephen was stoned to death, Peter was crucified, as legend has it, upside down, in Rome, and Paul was beheaded, also in Rome.

The other Apostles met similar deaths, except for John, who was exiled to the Isle of Patmos almost until the time of his death. Under extreme personal danger, they continued to give witness to the hope and freedom offered to all through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. If Jesus truly rose from the dead, freedom from what chains us in life lies in trustful acceptance of His forgiveness.’

Traditionally, May is the month of Mary, mother of Jesus and mother of the Church. When we meditate on the heart of Mary we find the expression of the heart of our own mothers: a heart full of love, compassion, self-denial; a heart capable of enduring anguish and making sacrifice yet nurturing a future that is hope-filled and enriching.

How fitting then that we celebrate Mother's Day during this month of Mary, a model for all mothers.

On Sunday, may we honour our mothers with an expression of sincere appreciation for the fruits of their unfailing love. We wish all mothers a very special blessing on this day, and may we also keep in our prayers those mothers who have died and who are remembered with much affection.

God bless.

Pat Terminello
Director of Mission KHS