Jesus heard His mother’s voice.
On this 4th Sunday of Easter let us reflect on the vital role our senses have
in our lives, particularly our ability to hear. How we see, hear, smell, taste, and
feel, shapes our interactions with our surroundings and the people we encounter.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the profound relationship that exists between
Him and us, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” It is
an intimate bond of understanding and recognition; the sheep, not only hear their
shepherd’s voice, but also respond to it with love and commitment.
The voices we choose to hear significantly affect our well-being. In today’s
world, are we choosing voices that bring us peace or worry? We naturally lean
toward those who demonstrate love, like our mothers, whose wisdom lingers in
our minds. Their influence is deeply felt, even when we sometimes ignore their
guidance. The expression “My mother told me so” highlights a mother’s enduring
impact, resonating even before birth. On this Mother’s Day weekend, as we
joyfully celebrate and enter the month honoring Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, let
us pause to appreciate the loving and nurturing qualities that maternal figures
bring into our lives. Just as Jesus listened to His mother and valued her insight,
when she instructed the servants at the wedding in Cana to “do whatever He tells
you,” so too should we trust and value our mother’s words.
Additionally, today is also known as Vocation Sunday – a day to pause and
reflect on the unique calls we receive from Jesus throughout our lives. Whether
it’s a call to the priesthood, religious life, or marriage, Vocation Sunday reminds
us that each of us has a unique mission to carry out and fulfill with love. Today,
we want to thank Joseph T. Vuong, our seminarian, who has devoted nine
months of heartfelt service to our parish. His unwavering dedication and
compassion in various ministries have truly enriched our community. Joseph has
gained invaluable experiences that will support his growth as a priest in parish
life, where he is called to serve with love. Let’s wish him well as he returns to the
seminary to continue his formation for the priesthood!
Dear brothers and sisters, let us pray for all mothers, asking Our Mother
Mary to intercede for them and to serve as their model. May their voices radiate
love and guidance as they direct their children toward the Good Shepherd. We
pray that all mothers will continue to draw their children closer to God’s nurturing
love, cultivating a warm environment in which their children can discern and hear
Jesus’ voice.
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers.Rev. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor