From The Bishop

In both the First Reading and Gospel for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time we find the same simple words: “gave him to his mother”. In the First Reading the prophet Elijah offers prayers for the son of a grieving widow. The prayers are answered and a young man’s life is restored and he is given to his mother. In the Gospel Jesus is moved with pity for a widow who has lost her only son. Jesus restores the young man to life and then presents him to his mother. The common theme is that both Elijah and Jesus had great love and compassion for these women. Jesus has that same attitude toward us. He wants to help us by “giving us to his mother.” He offers us to the maternal care of Mary; this is especially true for all clergy since she is our queen. There are many people today, who like the poor widows of our readings, grieve the loss of life. It may be the death of a loved one, the death of a relationship, dream or ideal; it may even be the death of something within themselves due to sin. One way to help them is to “give them to their mother.” We need to invite people in their grief to turn to our Blessed Mother who will bring them hope. She will love them, pray for them and lead them to her Son, Jesus Christ. The Lord will restore life within them by offering love and mercy. We can show great compassion to those who suffer by “giving them to their mother”! Let us promote greater devotion to our Blessed Mother in our diocese. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.