May 12th

Post date: May 13, 2019 3:39:39 PM

May 12, 2019 Homily by Fr. Karl Schray

There is an endearing anecdote about Pope John XXIII.

On the evening of when he announced the opening of the

Second Vatican Council (the first one since 1870) he couldn’t sleep.

Finally, he pulled himself together and said,

‘Angelo, why aren’t you sleeping? Who’s running the church,

you or the Holy Spirit?... So, sleep’.

And he did. Pope John XXIII was a good shepherd.

Jesus, of course, is the perfect shepherd and this is one of our

favorite images of our Lord. It brings us great comfort

to know that we belong to him and none of us will be snatched away.

How do we know we belong to his flock?

The first thing is to believe in him—

we enter the flock by becoming believers.

The second thing is to listen to his voice—to heed his teachings.

And the third thing is to follow him—in other words,

to put on the heart and mind of Jesus.

He gives eternal life to his sheep by receiving us and strengthening us

through Baptism and Confirmation.

He heals us in Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.

He nourishes us with the Holy Eucharist and the Scriptures.

And he makes our society holy by the Sacraments of Matrimony and Priesthood.

And most significantly, Jesus lays down his life for his sheep.

On this Mother’s Day—10 things that make for a great Catholic mom:

Moms worry a lot—before the baby is born, after the baby is born,

through the teen years, and even into adulthood.

A mother’s work is literally never done. It is a great comfort to know

that we can bring our worries to God in prayer and

place our children in God’s hands.

The best way to celebrate our Catholic Faith and love for God is to

participate in the Mass together as a family. After Mass, set aside

Sunday as a family day—set limits on computer, phone and television time.

Make everyday holy. How?

Sharing meals together with a prayer of thanks-

‘Bless the food before us, the family beside us and the love between us.’

This can be a sacred time of connection and love.

The habit of bedtime prayers makes for a good night’s sleep.

Believe that God DOES have a PLAN FOR YOUR CHILDREN’S LIVES.

Tell your children to pray everyday to learn what God wants them to do.

Grow in your own faith, Mom—read the Bible, or a daily devotional,

pray the Rosary. This is a gift to your body, mind and spirit.

Stand up for your principles even when it is unpopular. Help teens

evaluate movies that contain graphic violence and gratuitous sex. Song

lyrics that demean women or other races contradict the message of Christ.

Sometimes letting go is the best love we can give. It is helpful to

remember the goal of motherhood is not to smother or spoil our children;

rather, it is to prepare them to be happy, healthy, faith-filled, responsible individuals.

Can I forgive myself for being an ‘imperfect’ mom?

Losing my temper, making mistakes?

Acknowledging my errors to my children, or my spouse,

teaches them that mistakes can be admitted and forgiven.

Modeling sharing our material goods, money and time with people

who are struggling or less fortunate.

Our children learn from what they see us doing, e.g. our lifestyle,

generosity, truthfulness and lending a hand to others.

When was the last time you had a good laugh with your children?

When accidents happen, join in the clean-up and have a good laugh.

Motherhood isn’t easy but it sure can be fun.