One of the great privileges in being a priest is to be invited into the watershed moments in people’s lives. The priest was there when you were baptized. He saw the gleam in your parent’s eye. He gave you your First Holy Communion, heard your confessions, watched you profess your wedding vows and, to bring things full circle, he baptized your children.
Then . . . he visited you in the hospital, he anointed you when you were sick, and finally . . . he buried you as your children and grandchildren shed tears.
So what’s your point Fr. Tim? It’s simple – we priests know you. We’ve watched you your whole life and (you need to know this), you are amazing. You have done the most difficult of life’s tasks and for the most part you’ve done them with grace and selflessness.
Priests have their own set of challenges in living their life but I don’t think they compare to what God asks of you as spouses and parents. You are heroes.
So here’s to you – – husbands and wives, moms and dads. Thank you for:
- Saying “let’s have a baby.” That baby was “us”. Mom, you gave your body over to nature that we might have life. Dad, you held your breath and discovered the treasure you have in your wife.
- Spending sleepless nights wondering how your child was growing and whether you were doing everything right to help them.
- Exhausting yourselves at work and at home to make your family happy and safe.
- Carefully watching your children’s habits and friends to make sure they find the right path.
- Carrying that huge sadness the day your child has their first day in school.
- Feeling your child’s tears more deeply that they do.
- Feeling a distance from your husband/wife because at that moment your children need you more than your spouse.
- Waiting patiently and selflessly to rekindle your marriage.
- Never giving up on your children no matter how they have failed.
- Spending more money than you have so the children’s education can happen.
- Watching your children marry and move away . . . “Thanks mom. Thanks dad. Bye.”
- Rediscovering your life’s partner in an empty nest.
These are just a few of the countless moments of self-sacrifice you have made to be that loving spouse and parent. I’m limited to what I have personally seen in you. I can’t imagine some of the sacrifices life has asked of you.
And you did it all without fanfare, no applause or cameras rolling. It’s all a secret really, between you and your spouse . . . and God.
And what does Jesus have to say about all this (and you too I bet)? It’s no big deal.
“The servant does not deserve thanks for what his station demands. When you have done all these things say “we are but unprofitable servants. We have done no more that is our duty.” Luke 17:10
This certainly goes against the voices in the world that tell us to grab for all the gusto we can. Rather, Jesus tells us “No. Whoever tries to gain his own life will lose it; but whoever loses themselves for my sake will gain it.” Mt. 10:39
So dear spouses and parents . . . congratulations . . . you have found the key to life’s meaning.
“Well done my good and faithful servant.” Mt. 25:21
Bless every mother’s child.
Fr. Tim
