Thursday, December 19, 2019

6th Day of Simbang Gabi 2019



Devina Nund wrote this beautiful story about mothers:
When God created woman, he was working late on the 6th day...
An angel came by and asked, “Why spend so much time on her?” The lord answered, “Have you seen all the specifications I have to meet to shape her?”
“She must function in all kinds of situations, she must be able to embrace several kids at the same time, have a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee to a broken heart.
She must do all this with only two hands, she cures herself when sick and can work 18 hours a day.”
The Angel was impressed. “Just two hands...impossible! And this is the standard model?” The Angel came closer and touched the woman.
“But you have made her so soft, Lord.”
“She is soft,” said the Lord, “But I have made her strong. You can't imagine what she can endure and overcome.”
"Can she think?” The Angel asked...The Lord answered, "Not only can she think, she can reason and negotiate."
The Angel touched her cheeks..."Lord, it seems this creation is leaking! You have put too many burdens on her."
"She is not leaking...it is a tear," The Lord corrected the Angel...
"What's it for?" Asked the Angel...The Lord said, "Tears are her way of expressing her grief, her doubts, her love, her loneliness, her suffering and her pride."...
This made a big impression on the Angel, "Lord, you are a genius. You thought of everything.
A woman is indeed marvellous"
Lord said, "Indeed she is. She has strength that amazes a man. She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens. She holds happiness, love and opinions. She smiles when she feels like screaming. She sings when she feels like crying, cries when happy and laughs when afraid. She fights for what she believes in.
Her love is unconditional. Her heart is broken when a next-of-kin or a friend dies but she finds strength to get on with life."
The Angel asked, "So she is a perfect being?"
The lord replied: "No. She has just one drawback, she often forgets what she is worth."
My dear friends, this story reminds us of the meaning of being a mother. A mother is selfless –one who sacrifices her wants, needs and ambitions as long as the wants, needs and ambitions of her children are fulfilled and satisfied. Her reward is being a mother herself. It is not the medal or certificates that can make her happy but the arms of her children who hug or embrace her.
Hear and see the experience of two mothers in our Gospel (Luke 1: 39-45). Mary and Elizabeth were both happy because they were now ready to be called mothers. They rejoiced because of the baby in their womb. How fulfilling it was for them to become mothers. All they did was to talk about their baby. This is the true meaning of being a mother –selfless. Why? Everybody can notice that she changes her name when she gets married. She leaves her own home and moves in a home with her husband. She gets pregnant which changes her body and risks her own life in the labor room. After she delivers her baby, she knows it comes from her yet it does not bear her surname. Everything she does from the birth of her child until the child grows mature is for the benefit of the said child and sometimes she does this at the expense of her needs and ambitions.
Today, we continue to pray for all our mothers. We thank God for creating mothers because it is never easy to be one. During this Simbang Gabi, we resolve before the altar of the Lord to understand and respect our mothers. We give them thanks for the priceless gift of motherhood God has blessed us. Amen.

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