Tears Of A Mother

“How can I love the Lord without loving my mother? Our mother is a reflection of God’s love.  Providing life is the greatest gift from God.” – Enncrave It seems everything was set for me in my youthful dream to be a priest. A week after my high school graduation in 1966, Benedictine nuns visited me at home to pre sent a welcome letter from the rector of the prestigious San Beda College-Abbey of our Lady of Monserrat. My college scholarship, sponsored by the Benedictine order, was approved. I owed this to our beloved Sister Eugene, a Benedictine nun from Guinobatan, Albay. A year before graduating from high school, Sister Eugene passed away. But the visiting nuns said not to worry because my scholarship was already in place before she died.  My mother was delighted with my chosen vocation. But something happened when I was preparing to leave. When someone studies for the priesthood, it is accepted by family members that he will be gone for a long time. I felt my mother’s loneliness, and I consoled her that everything would be fine. I was sad seeing the tears of my mother. She was touched by my absence as if I was gone forever. I did not expect the nuns to revisit me to choose another scholarship. This time it is only in the same college where I graduated.  I realized that God provided me with a choice, and I believe in my mother.  Feeling my mother’s sadness touched me, and I shed tears every time I remember this event of my life. Honoring my mother is the best thing that ever happened to me. And it was between my dream to serve God as a priest and my mother. The moment I decided, I thought I had abandoned God.  But how can I love the Lord without loving my mother? Our mother is a reflection of God’s love.  Providing life is the greatest gift from God.  God always guided me along the way. I found my beloved Mom, according to His plan. I love all my eight kids, and I’m grateful to Mom and God for this heavenly gift. I am just wondering how the seven daughters of a Hebrew priest in the Old Testament unfolded in my own fantastic magnificent 7. One of his seven daughters was the wife of Moses. And to complete a cast of eight, a son is a symbol of protection.  God bless our Mother & Happy Mother’s Day!