WHO WANTS TO BE A MOTHER?
“The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”
- William Ross Wallace
The words of William Ross Wallace are a tribute to all mothers. All the kings, emperors, presidents and generals of the world are raised by mothers. Jesus was raised by a mother too.
Staying most of the times with their children, mothers are able to impart stories and traditions necessary for children to develop virtues and become fully human. In fulfilling the vocation of Christian motherhood, they become evangelizers by transmitting to their children the stories of our Faith.
But mothering today faces a great challenge. According to Enola G. Aird, founder and director of The Motherhood Project Institute for American Values:
In the United States, it is becoming harder and harder for mothers and fathers to teach their children the virtues of patience, self-discipline, empathy, humility, and concern and care for others. A majority of adults in a recent survey expressed concern that "too many children are not absorbing the moral lessons that will allow them to grow into respectable, respectful, compassionate and honorable human beings."
This recent phenomenon has something to do with the MONEY WORLD.
In this world life is about selfishness, instant gratification and rampant materialism. Its cultural messages are expressed in the following slogans: JUST DO IT, HAVE IT YOUR WAY, FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS, OBEY YOUR THIRST, NO BOUNDARIES, and GOT THE URGE? According to Aird “…the self is the star of the universe.”
In this world the value of a human being is determined by what we buy and what we own. There is an "unlimited faith in technology and markets" but less faith in God. Children are means to increase market sales. Profit is the word of the day.
In this world Tradition is replaced by innovation and the past by the present. What matters most is what will come next. We could not appreciate our newest gadget because our eyes are fixed on the next model. It is indeed a difficult place in which to raise children.
But we need to preserve the humanity of our children if we want them to be truly Christians. We must teach our children values such as sacrifice and self-giving, discipline and moderation, humility and forbearance, commitment and dedication. But we need mothers. Who wants to be one?
Let us support our mothers. Let us empower them. But pray we must for good and holy mothers. We implore the help of Mary who in many ways had known all the joys and sorrows of motherhood.
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