May 13 is Mothers’ Day. In many countries the second Sunday of May is traditionally celebrated as the day to honor mothers, hence, the celebration on May 13.
Greenbelt Chapel honored mothers all over, particularly the mothers who attended Mass that Sunday, with a blessing for mothers prior to the final blessing. A prayer for mothers was recited by children before the blessing was made.
In the 4:30pm Mass, Fr. Jim Perry noted that all three readings focused on the word “love.” Just as we have learned how to love from the way our mothers have shown her love for us, so too should we show love to others. This was exemplified in Peter’s visit to the Roman Cornelius in the first reading. As a Roman, Cornelius was a Gentile. Traditionally, Jews did not mingle with Gentiles. Yet, Peter entered the house of Cornelius and even baptized the God-fearing Roman officer. Peter then realized that God does not show any partiality. Whether Jew or Gentile, all are equal in the eyes of God. Fr. Jim enjoined the community to follow Peter’s footsteps – to show love to everybody we meet. This kind of love is the mark of the true friend of Jesus – as opposed to the servant who does things out of a sense of obligation.
Another event to honor mothers was a Wellness Fair that was held at the chapel grounds near the Prada side. The Wellness Fair was held from 8:00am to 5:00pm. A number of clinics and other wellness companies had booths that offered free medical check-up, such as bone density screening, blood pressure reading, cataract testing and colon cancer screening.
Fr. Jim blessed the mothers after the Mass.
Though the fair was held in celebration of Mothers’ Day, just about anybody could come to avail of the screening process. I, a 53-year old father of one, was able to avail of these free tests, screenings and freebies.
The most important freebie, of course, is the love our mothers freely give to us. How wonderful it is, then, that even for a day in the year we honor them with the attention they so rightly deserve.
- by Mario Ampil