Mother's Day
Loved, Identity, Purpose
Editor’s Note: This article is of Fr. Ben Daghir’s bulletin reflection for the weekend of Mother’s Day (May 9-10) at St. Francis Xavier Parish.
This Mother’s Day, I find myself reflecting on a profound insight from Hans Urs von Balthasar. He speaks of the extraordinary moment when a child is born—the moment when a mother is the very first to look into her child’s eyes.
In that gaze, something sacred is communicated without words: You are loved. You have an identity. You have a purpose. God, in His wisdom, entrusts this beautiful mission to mothers. Their loving glance speaks not only from the heart, but, in a sense, on behalf of Heaven itself.
And this look is not given only once. It is repeated throughout life—in moments of joy, struggle, growth, and even failure. A mother’s consistent, compassionate presence reminds her children again and again of who they are and why they matter.
We see the perfection of this love in the relationship between the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Mary was the first person to gaze upon the face of Christ in the manger. Her eyes told Him: You are loved. You have an identity. You have a purpose.
That same gaze remained with Him throughout His life—even in His darkest hour, as she met Him on the way to the Cross. In that moment, Mary’s loving presence spoke strength and truth into His suffering: You are loved. You have an identity. You have a purpose.
On this day, we give thanks to all mothers. Your vocation is a gift to the world, to the Church, and to your family. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my mother.” I could not agree more.
Fr. Ben Daghir
Beautiful and inspiring sentiments on Mary's pure love for Jesus and the moment a mother gazes on her newborn baby. Thank you, Father Ben!
Loved this! You always have the best sermons!! Severia