Mothers' Day

I would like to open this post with the alternative prayer for today, the third Sunday of Easter:

Father in heaven, author of all truth,
a people once in darkness has listened to your Word
and followed your Son as he rose from the tomb.
Hear the prayer of this newborn people
and strengthen your Church to answer your call.
May we rise and come forth into the light of day
to stand in your presence until eternity dawns.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

This is such a beautiful prayer! When the church provides alternative prayers for Sundays or other feast days, they are taken from more colorful texts and are generally older. Both are valid, though, so we should be careful not to be caught up in chasing appearances.

But here is an "appearance" worth looking at - these flowers opened up over the last few days and are such a timely gift for Mothers' Day:

On this Mothers' day, it is also important for us to remember our heavenly mother, given to us by Christ on the Cross, His own Mother Mary. Many people have posted on Facebook the words of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego, comforting him over his uncle's worsening health:

My child, my littlest one, listen to my words
and allow them to penetrate your heart.
Allow nothing to afflict you or cause you anguish.
Let nothing disturb your heart.
Am I not here, I who am your Mother?
Are you not in my shadow and under my protection?
Am I not the source of your life?
Are you not in the folds of my mantle,
in the crossing of my arms?

These words also came to me this morning as I wanted to post something for Mothers' Day, and I later discovered so many people with the same inspiration. At Evening Prayer today, I also felt inspired to post Mary's song of praise, the Magnificat, which is part of Evening Prayer each day:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day, all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise He made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.

Pray for us, Most Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ!
(Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genitrix, ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi!)

Love the Immaculata!
Mariam cogita, Mariam invoca