For the past few months, I have been walking my Sunday school class through Matthew's gospel: a book that can best be described as how to be a good disciple. Lesson after lesson would come back to the same point. We are to love one another as we love ourselves. And we have no need to worry.
We are finishing up the book this month. In today's lesson we learn that upon Jesus' arrest and execution, even after two years of hearing the message of not worrying, his disciples scattered in fear. With a notable exception. A group of women who had followed and supported him stayed through the entire process -- because they had learned that love triumphs over fear.
One of the women, of course, was Jesus' very human mother: Mary.
I have never felt comfortable with what the Catholic church has done to the history of Mary. By effectively turning her into a goddess, the church has stripped her of her most meaningful role as a human mentor.
But I do not need to get into a theological debate here. I simply want to take a moment to honor all of the mothers of the world today -- including my own.
Moms -- we love you.
Mom -- I love you.
