As a youth, next to Christmas, Mother’s Day was the most special holiday in our home. We would search all over to find that special gift for mom, to show her that we loved her and appreciated her love and sacrifices in raising us. She would often remind us that she did not have to birth us if she did not want to and she did not have to raise us if she did not want to, and we respected and appreciated her for what she did. With mom having died over 30 years ago we never had the experience of celebrating with our mom from the perspective of an adult child, but I am sure the love, respect and appreciation would have continued and even grown more and more.
As we look back 2000 years ago as God chose to re-affirm his eternal relationship with mankind by taking on the flesh and blood of man in union with Mary to manifest himself in the form of His son Jesus the Christ, God through Jesus had a mother whom he also celebrated in a special way. In our chronological celebrations of Christ’s life after celebrating his birth (Christmas) we next celebrate his resurrection (Easter). However, just prior to Jesus’ death he initiated Mother’s Day with his gesture from the cross, “John, Love and Care for my mother” and “mom, transfer that loving need to nurture, support and protect me to my dear friend, John.” (John 19:26-27, paraphrased, of course). This was the only request of continued duty given by Christ from the cross. Christ showed that his special love regarding his mother did not end with natural death neither did his mom’s need and desire to love and nurture her son. Truly, this is symbolic of the eternal love between God (through Jesus Christ) and Humanity (through Mary, mother of Jesus). This is a loving physical, emotional and spiritual bond that’s seen from inception or adoption throughout eternity.