Reflection: A Mother's Day Meditation and Prayer

Today we celebrate Mother's Day. On this day, we remember all our mothers, living and deceased, and all women who have been spiritual mothers to us.

A dear friend gave me a beautiful statue of Mary called Madonna Magnificat. Mary's face is captivating and her hands are folded in prayer. She looks like she is pondering. I gaze at this image often.

"Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart."  Luke 2:19 

Meditation: 
Take a moment and be still. Gaze at an image of the face of Mary or an image of Mary gazing at the Baby Jesus. Ponder this image and call upon the Holy Spirit to be with you during this intimate time of prayer. Mary is a model for all mothers. Speak to Mary and ask her to teach you how to ponder as she did. There were many things Mary did not understand but she pondered them in her heart. Ask her for the grace to ponder the things you do not understand. Ask her to be with you as you ponder. Mary was in the Upper Room with the Apostles at Pentecost. She is with you always and she will draw you to her Beloved Son Jesus.

"When they entered the city, they went to the Upper Room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James, son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas, son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and His brothers." Acts 1:13-14

A Mother's Prayer by Rachel Aldous

My sweet baby on loan from above. No better treasure could I more love. I stand here beside your bed as I pray, I lay my hand on your head and I say: 

May you grow up to serve Him all of your days. May He lead you and guide you in all of your ways. May His hand bless your future with friendships that last. May you cherish your youth and not grow up too fast. 

I stare in wonder at your tiny frame. Just to think that God knows you by name. He knows every hair on your beautiful head. He knows your thoughts before they are said. 

May you grow up to serve Him all of your days. May He lead you and guide you in all of your ways. May His Hand bless your future with friendships that last. May you cherish your youth and not grow up too fast. 

May God grant you peace in the midst of a storm. May God give you strength even when you’re forlorn. May you answer the door when Jesus comes knocking. May wisdom guide when your mouth is talking. May discretion protect you and keep you pure. May you never stumble or fall for a lure. May your heart remain humble to the very end. May uprightness and truth be what you defend. May the world not ensnare or change who you are. 

May the light that's within you shine like the stars. May angels surround you body, spirit, mind. May favor and peace be yours to find. May rejection and pain never reach you. May your spirit grow bold for what you’re called to. 

May you grow up to serve Him all of your days. May He lead you and guide you in all of your ways. May His Hand bless your future with friendships that last. May you cherish your youth and not grow up too fast. As you rest in God’s care I will rest, too. Knowing that Jesus is watching over you. Amen.

Through this ministry, we pray for so many intentions. In a special way today, we pray for mothers who have lost a child through death, accident, miscarriage or abortion that God will console them.  We also pray for mothers of disabled children that God will give them strength to embrace their child and see, in their child, the beauty created by God. We remember today all mothers. We turn to Mary, our Blessed Mother for all their needs. 

"In this is love." 1 John 4:10

Holy Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, we entrust to you all mothers and their families. Bless them and wrap them under your protective mantle of love.