"Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked his thoughts; let him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:6-9)
Mothers have such an important role: They are shaping the future. As John Paul II says, "All of humanity passes by way of the family," (Familiaris Consortio, 86). He claims that mothers and fathers are forming the faith and character of the next generation. Mothers have a weighty role. If we want government institutions to be run by virtuous people, where are they going to acquire virtue? In office? No. government positions do not make people virtuous. Elected officials needed to have acquired virtue when they were young, under the direction of their mothers, fathers, other caretakers, teachers, and role models. If we want schools and universities to be filled with people of intellectual and moral character, where will those people get those virtues? In those schools? No. They needed to have acquired those virtues at home as young people. If we want the market place and business sector to be populated with just and honest people, where are those people going to acquire virtue? On the trading floor of Wall Street? No, they needed to have acquired it from their families as toddlers and children. Mothers have the crucial obligation to help their children learn faith and morals, so that they will bring these virtues--indeed, the very presence of God--to the public square.
Isaiah 55 speaks to mothers, encouraging them to "turn to the Lord for mercy." Mothers need God's mercy. Their children need God's mercy. All people are so fallen, we cannot grow in the goodness that the world needs without abundant mercy from the Lord. Let all mothers "turn to the Lord." Let them bow down, worship and adore their God, who is worthy of all praise. Let them give themselves, their children and all their loved ones to God "who is generous in forgiving." God does not have to forgive. He is set apart in this way. It is a sign of incredible generosity and compassion. It is so sublime, that we cannot comprehend a God so rich in forgiveness: "As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways love your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts," the Lord says. Let all mothers rest in God's merciful love, which is one of his richest gifts.
A Mother's Prayer: Lord, I love you and adore you. I give myself, my children and my loved ones to you. Please help us to become loving, merciful, and virtuous in every way. Help us to shine the light of Christ in the world and show all people the good news of your merciful love. Amen.
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