Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Today we honor all mothers—our birth moms, adoptive moms, and spiritual mothers. We give thanks for the women who gave us life, nurtured us, and guided us along the way. Think of the countless hours they have prayed for us—and still do. Today, we return that love in prayer, remembering our mothers who are living and those who have gone before us.
Happy Mother’s Day! We are deeply grateful for your sacrifices and your love.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers both comfort and challenge.
He comforts us with a promise: “I will not leave you orphaned.” He assures us that he will come back to us. We proclaim this hope each time we pray the Nicene Creed: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.”
Until that day, Jesus does not leave us alone. He sends us an Advocate—the Holy Spirit—to be with us always.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, a presence the world often struggles to recognize. Yet this Advocate stands beside us in every trial. The Spirit speaks for us, strengthens us, and gives us the words to share when others ask about the hope we carry. The Spirit places the name of Jesus on our lips, reminds us of his teaching, unites us as one people, and fills us with the courage to proclaim the Gospel to the world.
This is our comfort: we are never alone.
But the Gospel also brings a challenge.
Jesus says plainly: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
The highest form of love is the result of a decision—to be for the other. It must be put into action—to do for the other. We are called to love God above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves. If we truly live in the Spirit of Truth, then that Spirit must shape us into people who not only talk about love but show it by our manner of living.
The Holy Spirit helps us become more like Jesus—whose love is shown most fully on the cross.
May we never turn away from this gift. Instead, may we welcome the Holy Spirit each day—the living fire of God within us—guiding us, instructing us, strengthening us, and leading us to love.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,
did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise
and ever to rejoice in His consolation.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Again, Happy Mother’s Day—Have a blessed week everyone.