“Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no
evil; for You are at my side... You spread the table before me in the sight of my
foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:4-5
May 11, 2014 4th Sunday of Easter, Mother's Day
Mother’s Day and Good Shepherd Sunday come together this
weekend. Might we not see links, connections between these two celebrations? God’s
love is reflected in both mothers and fathers. The good shepherd, as we read in
the 23rd Psalm, demonstrates what a good mother does for her children—caring,
protecting, feeding, and healing.
How fitting that the Catholic Medical Mission Board takes
as one key focal point its CHAMPS program (Children and Mothers Partnerships)! In
this way, CMMB integrates and focuses its programs more effectively to affect
the lives of children and mothers. We invite you to join us as we embark on
this movement to ensure vulnerable women, their children, and their families
live longer, healthier lives. In this way each of us shares in the work of the
good shepherd, helping mothers to carry out their challenging, God-given,
blessed vocation in partnership with communities around the globe.
Thank You, Lord, that You fill a mother’s heart with love,
That You have instilled in her very being the need to protect her children if at all possible,
Thank You for giving her the gift of nurturing her children, of teaching them, of comforting them,
for feeding them and making a safe place for them.
For guiding them to be all that God has created them to be.
Fill every mother with love, wisdom and endurance,
with strength and patience and joy.
Give them ability to forgive again and again.
Enable her to rely on You and call upon You, because You will give her all she needs.
In Your precious and all powerful name, Amen.
Rev. Peter Schineller, S.J., CMMB Board of Directors
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