#5th Commandment

[momentsbeforemass]

Expected

(by request, my homily from Mother’s Day)

Today is Mother’s Day. It’s one of the “expected” holidays.

It’s an expected holiday – just like Thanksgiving or Christmas – because we’re expected to do certain things for Mother’s Day.

While exactly what we are expected to do for Mother’s Day varies from family to family, the details really aren’t the important part.

The important part? The part that carries the greatest weight? It’s the “expected” part.

That is, whatever it is that we do for Mother’s Day, we are expected to do it.

How can you tell? Because that’s the part we explain, the part we get defensive about.

And that’s the part that bears down on us the hardest when – for whatever reason – we don’t do it.

It’s a dynamic that’s hitting home for me right now. Because this is my first Mother’s Day without my mom.

Everything that I expected to do for Mother’s Day? It’s not happening this year.

And I’m not sure what to do with Mother’s Day.

Because all of those feelings that are part and parcel of Mother’s Day? And all of the baggage that comes with not doing things that we’re expected to do? It’s all still there.

Even if no one else asks me about it. All of that “expected” stuff is still there, waiting for me to answer.

I’m not alone in this. A lot of us won’t be doing what we’re expected to do for Mother’s Day.

Maybe it’s because mom isn’t with you anymore.

Or maybe it’s because there’s a disconnect between mom and child.

Maybe it’s because you never got to be a mom.

Or maybe it’s because your time as a mom was cut short.

No matter what the reason. No matter why or who’s responsible.

There are a lot of us who won’t be doing what we’re expected to do for Mother’s Day. And that hits home, harder than we like to admit.

So, what do we do with Mother’s Day, when we can’t do what we’re expected to do?

First, we need to realize that all of the baggage that you and I have when it comes to Mother’s Day? All of the expected stuff that weighs us down?

It doesn’t come from God. It comes from our broader culture.

That doesn’t mean it’s not with us. You and I aren’t walled off from the broader culture. I get hit with the same cultural messages that you do.

And when you and I come to church, we come carrying all of that stuff with us.

Which can make it hard for us to hear what God has to say. Even when it comes to motherhood.

You know how our God speaks, right? God speaks most clearly through action.

Here’s what I mean – what does God have to say to us about love?

God gives us His answer through Jesus, and Good Friday.

So, what does God have to say to us about motherhood?

God gives us His answer through Mary, the mother of Our Savior.

Giving birth to a child? Raising a child? That’s our culture’s Mother’s Day checklist. In the limited view of our broader culture, that’s it. That’s motherhood. That’s what’s expected.

And nothing else will ever measure up.

But in the motherhood of Mary, in the ministry of Mary, God tells us the truth.

Giving birth to a child? Raising a child? That is beautiful.

But those are only some of the ways that motherhood is lived out. Even when that child is the Savior of us all.

Because the motherhood of Mary is the ministry of Mary. And the ministry of Mary doesn’t stop with her Son.

We see more of Mary’s motherhood, long after the Nativity, throughout the Gospels and in the Book of Acts.

We see Mary’s motherhood with Jesus, time and again. She’s an integral part of His ministry. And one of the few people who were brave enough to stay at the hour of His death.

We see Mary’s motherhood in lasting relationships. She’s with the Apostles, time and again. Even after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension.

And we see Mary’s motherhood in brief moments. Like the wedding at Cana.

Kind of like the motherhood that every one of us has been blessed by in our own lives.

All of us have been blessed with women who have been integral parts of our lives, who have been mothers to us at our best and at our worst.

All of us have been blessed with lasting relationships with women who have poured out the gifts and graces of motherhood for us, time and again.

All of us have been blessed with women who we only knew for a moment. But who poured out the gifts and graces of motherhood for us in those brief moments.

And all of them did that for us – and do that for us – whether they’re related to us or not.

Because that is the fullness of motherhood.

That is the motherhood that God calls all women to. To be holy and living bearers of God’s grace where it is needed most, whether it’s for a lifetime or for a moment. Whether they’re related to us or not.

This year, for Mother’s Day, let’s do something different. Let’s do it God’s way.

Let’s follow the Fifth Commandment. And honor the women who have been mothers in our lives. Whether they’re related to us or not.

For the ones who are still with us? Today, after Mass, pick two or three of the women you owe the most to. Thank God for them, but don’t stop there.

Reach out. Call them, email them, text them. Let them know why you thank God for them.

And tell them Happy Mother’s Day.

For the ones who are no longer with us, please join me in asking our Blessed Mother to intercede for them (in the words of St. Luke), Hail Mary….

Sunday’s Readings

[itslilacokay]

CHOSENWEEK DAY 2 : REST

referencing this

heres the (OPTIONAL) promptlist and the announcement for context

[purplecritter]

This was supposed to be just a sketch but I blinked and somehow there's now colours and shadows??

Or: @exilethegame's new demo made me unable to resist redrawing my Commander

[coline7373]

The saga of the dead cacti...

For @bitwhizzle, for her pursuit of Rex & Cody taking selfie.

[fireheart223]

Ok, so I ended up drawing all day after I heard this song. I'm really proud of how these turned out!

[niseag-arts]

BABYFACE

[supermarine-silvally]

@Yara What's ur usual day on a pirate ship like when nothing special is going on and u are not fighting anyone?

"There is always plenty to do on the Moby Dick, even when there's nothing overtly exciting going on. Mostly we receive our orders each morning from Pops, but here's a few things I tend to do on a daily basis. And yes, as vice-commander, I take care of the paperwork for Second Division. What, you thought Ace would actually bother to do it?"

Ask Yara (or any of my OCs) anything!

[haveyoulistenedtothisalbum-poll]

Tracklist:

Skeletor's Revenge • Lord, Beer Me Strength • Really Expensive Toss • Yr Not Ramona Flowers, Yr Knives Chau • It's Mario Kart, Not Mario Cart • Gross October • Pamela • Skramton PA • Holiday Cheers • Kenny • Wassup My Good Man • Origami Angel Food Cake • Pamela - EP Version • Waffle Home • Cupcakes • Scooter • Lord, Beer Me Strength (Live) • Really Expensive Toss (Live) • It's Mario Kart, Not Mario Cart (Live) • Gross October (Live) • Ramona (Live) • Kenny - Instrumental Demo • Wassup My Good Man - Instrumental Demo • Off The Goop - Instrumental Demo • Non Land Permanent - iPhone Demo • Cut It Out - iPhone Demo • Bruh Moment - iPhone Demo • Skip Skool - Sneaky Dice • Max Keeble's Big Mood - Instrumental Demo

Spotify ♪ YouTube

[icarus-suraki]

I have been informed that some of My Fellow Americans were not drilled on this song in your elementary days, hence your less than perfect scores on the "name the states" quiz. So here you go.

[junkyardbluebox]

Arc of Infinity Episode 2 Screencaps, Part 13

[jovenshires]

I HOPE YOU KNOW WHEN I SAW TOMMY MADE THE SPENCER MEME I THOUGHT OF YOU

DFNFRNNSLFFNSNRLK i am so honored tysm i love my brand. when i tell you i was gobsmacked. gooped. beguiled.

[undeadvinyls]

i know yall voted for juveniles' parents lineup next but rlly wanted to post my gw babes :']

from L to R: Apollo 26/Roberta, Arthur, Felician, Naphat

[caiternate]

sorry i was being kind of normal about today but like. dean winchester is saved.

[heavenboy09]

Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 To You

The Little Young Asian Child Star Of The 2008 Independent Martial Arts Film, The 5th Commandment Became A Heartthrob Sensation All Grown Up In Disney Channel's Original Movie, DESCENDANTS 😈 as The Son Of The Evil Vizier Of AGRABAH

Born On January 21st, 1994

Nils Allen Stewart, Jr. was born in Beverly Hills, California. His father, Nils Allen Stewart, is a professional stuntman. His mother is of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean descent while his father is of Russian, Scottish, and Native American (Blackfoot) descent.

He is an American actor, musician, and visual artist. He is known for playing Seth Clearwater in The Twilight Saga, Warpath in X-Men: Days of Future Past, Jay in the Disney television film franchise Descendants, Luca in Good Trouble, and Willie in Julie and the Phantoms.

Please Wish This Young Amazingly Talented Multiracial Actor Of Disney  Channel's Descendants😈 A Very Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 🎂 🥳

If You Dont Know Him, That's Fine. You Will

If You Never Watched The 5th Commandment Or Disney's Descendants.  Do It Now. You Will Learn To Love It

MR. NILES ALLEN "BOOBOO" STEWART JR. AKA BOOBOO STEWART AKA JAY OF DISNEY'S DESCENDANTS 😈

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 TO YOU MR. STEWART & HERE'S TO MANY MORE YEARS TO COME

 

#BoobooStewart #The5thCommandmentMovie #TwilightSaga #XmenDaysOfFuturePast #DisneyDescendants #Jay

[eyeballcommander]

who’s the 4th in command?

Fourth on the chain of command is my lieutenants and various department heads.

Each lieutenant controls a legion and their respective sector, while department heads under my direct command manage a large or particularly vital department.

Although it's a bit more complicated with the science department. I've put them in charge of everything but weapon development because I'd rather take care of that myself.

[meeeeeeese]

I captured this screenshot of Fern a few days ago in wvw

she looks.

So done.

With her teams shenanigans.