A Blessed Mother’s Day, a blessed reminder….

Who did the Risen Jesus first appear to? Peter, whom he’d invested so much, forgave so readily and built his Church upon? No. Jesus recognised and appeared first to Mary Magdalene, a woman who, no stranger to deep pain, understood how far true love could and would go.

Mary, the first to apprehend the Risen Jesus, did not seek to be a ministerial apostle but with Jesus’ mother, someone far more potent, a model of faithful, fruitful, sturdy, baptismal discipleship. To this natural receptivity, Jesus first chose to appear. And from this Apostle to the Apostles – as Mary came to be known – we have much to learn.

I marvel at humility and witness – distinctly feminine – not just in biological mothers but women. Not unsurprisingly – as I see in women close to me – this distinct humility is rarely recognised by those who possess it. On second thought, perhaps that’s what makes it so genuine and alluring.

In a mother, in femininity, there is a natural grace, resonance, and reassurance—a perseverance in the midst of chaos that allows others to persevere. There is a ‘glue’ that holds everything together: family, faith, and the seemingly impossible.

The first call of any vocation is an experience of the Love of God. Mothers exude that eternal Love in an incomparable way—from touch to that gentle, unmistakable voice, the codding of a new mother feeding her baby, and the ferocity of a mother protecting her child. Little is more Godlike or revealing of the Father’s Love. Like heat from the sun, motherhood becomes God’s revelation that He is never distant.

A mother’s perseverance through struggle, brokenness and wounds make their presence and vocation all the more alluring.

In mothers and women of faith, there is hope and joy, a determined love made visible. Courage arrives from the empty tomb to announce to disbelieving disciples: persevere, do not give up; the tomb is empty, but He is Risen, as He promised! (Matt 28:1–10).

This distinctly feminine way of loving and living is needed now more than ever. 

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With this in mind, I recall how Saint John Paul II once wrote: “In God’s eternal plan, a woman is the one in whom the order of love in the created world of persons takes first root. […And] whenever a man is responsible for offending a woman’s personal dignity and vocation, he acts contrary to his own personal dignity and his own vocation.” (Mulieris Dignitatem, 10). Around the world, however, in a plethora of ways, we have witnessed precisely this.

On March 8, International Women’s Day, Ireland resoundingly rejected a proposal to redefine the family and eliminate references to mothers’ contributions from their Constitution. Surprisingly, it was the young who came out in droves to reject this attack on women and the family.

In the United States, the Department of Education has eviscerated women’s equality on college campuses by altering the definition of sex-based discrimination to include gender “identity”. And now? Men who ‘identify’ as women can take academic scholarships and admission slots from women. Biological men can use women’s bathrooms and change rooms, as well as house in dorms with young women. And if a woman raises concerns or disapproval, she can expect to be accused of discrimination or harassment.

In recent weeks, we’ve seen heightened attention drawn to the real and hideous scourge of violence against women. And rightly so. Yet, our society all too often conveniently ignores the unseen violence under the guise of ‘inclusivity’ and ‘equality’, which is callously and blatantly undermining the safety, dignity and rights of women.

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Today, we give thanks for the sacrifice, love, presence, and witness we have known from the mothers and women in our lives. Those with us, those who have died, and mothers-to-be. Wives, sisters, friends, religious women, and all women who echo the tenderness, wisdom and steadfastness of the God made-flesh, who walks life journey with us.

We celebrate all mothers, especially those with lives marred by suffering, disappointment, and violence. May they be relieved of these burdens and know their dignity and the closeness of God while we all do our power at national, state and local levels to ensure a change.

We must never forget what is at stake when we weaken the protections, dignity and defence of women in our culture and families. Motherhood is the keystone of humanity, and even God Himself recognises this.

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Christ Appearing to Mary by Duccio di Buoninsegna

Friends, the jewel in the crown of Mother’s Day, is her greatest boast. Saint John Paul II echoes: “At this moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women imbued with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling.” (Mulieris Dignitatem, 1).

Mothers, women, be faithful, be fearless. You embody the greatest call a human being can have. Ignore the attack on your identity by a society which rejects your worth and seeks to promote a culture of death and dysfunction. You are the glue that holds the wounded family together, that is, humanity. You are God’s mode of revelation to restore joy to human hearts.

To mothers who are struggling — and so many of you are — thank you! You have no idea of your impact beyond the lives of your precious children. You are the foundation of everything we hold dear and a witness to something beyond. You proclaim the hope that the empty, seemingly desolate Easter tomb promises.

All too often, society seeks to silence men who dare to speak about the dignity and identity of women. Last year, my article on International Women’s Day received a comment: “I was surprised it was written by a man”. And yet, in the last few months, the very call has been for men to step up and lead the way to assist change in respecting and protecting women. Healing our society requires men to be men and speak out in recognition and defence of women and mothers. As a man and Christ’s priest, I will always recognise, protect, and do just that. Don’t get me wrong… the risen Jesus, a man, was the first one to recognise and do the same.