Many of the elderly women receiving monthly rice donations from the Hong An Association are caretakers for their adult children who have mental or physical disabilities. These are challenging situations. Who else can care for them and love them unconditionally?
Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Kham of Diocese of My-Tho shares some wisdom and encouragement for mothers in his Mothers’ Day homily:
“There are so many poems and songs about motherhood but if you ask me which one is my favorite, this is the one I remember most: “Because God cannot be everywhere, he created mothers!” I like this quote very much because it not only describes motherhood as a natural affection, but also much more. A mother’s love has a divine dimension and a divine meaning. This is because a mother’s love for her children reflects the true love of God. Most specifically, it is an utterly selfless and unconditional love!
In today’s generation, it seems that many young people do not believe in a selfless, unconditional love. It is always expected to get something in return. Therefore, they no longer believe in a true love even when they witness it. Even the love between a man and woman can becomes so calculated and complicated. Marriage becomes a calculation, sometimes it even leads to demands and resentment. But a mother’s love is never calculated and it is completely selfless, without any expectations in return.
On this planet right now, how many mothers have disabled children? How many mothers have children with mental problems? How many mothers have children with have serious illnesses? Those mothers selflessly care for their children without hesitation every day, every night, year after year…for what? To get what? It is not only for their children to survive, live, and be happy; but it is to show God’s true love. God loves us not because of Him, but for us to be happy. And a mother’s love is divine and pure with constant giving and sacrifices.
Today, many young people no longer believe in a love that is giving and sacrificing! Many believe that the idea of true is about giving and receiving. The more you give, the more you receive, the more love you will have. But it is clear a mother’s love is completely giving and sacrificing. So, a mother’s love is not only natural and pure but defines God’s meaning of love. So, I would like to thank all mothers because for as long as there are mothers, we believe and see the true meaning of love. No matter how difficult life is, how deceiving it is, how much we have or do not have, as long as there are mothers, we will believe in love and in God! So again, thank you to all the mothers!”
