A mother’s love is constant, so how can we honor her?

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III begins his talk by congratulating mothers on Mother’s Day, showing that motherhood is an instinct placed by God in the woman’s heart, making her naturally inclined toward giving and caring.

The instinct of motherhood:
He explains that women rejoice in motherhood because it expresses their God-given nature. Even women who cannot bear children feel sorrow, for within every woman lies a natural longing to be a mother.

Motherhood as giving and sacrifice:
Pope Shenouda describes how the mother gives from her body, blood, and nourishment to her child from pregnancy to nursing, often weakening herself for her child’s life. He emphasizes the need to care for pregnant mothers emotionally and physically because their condition affects the baby.

The true mother:
He stresses that true motherhood is not merely giving birth but raising children in faith and virtue. He presents examples of saintly mothers such as Jochebed, the mother of Moses; the mother of St. Basil the Great; and St. Monica, the mother of Augustine, who won her son by tears and prayer.

Types of motherhood:
He speaks of the working mother who shares the burdens of life, the spiritual mothers such as nuns, and the Church as a spiritual mother who gives birth to her children through baptism. He affirms that the Virgin Mary is the mother of all believers.

The commandment of honor:
He emphasizes that God commanded honoring father and mother, making it the first commandment with a promise, bringing blessing and long life. He warns against disobedience and disrespect as condemned in Scripture.

Practical honor for the mother:
Honoring the mother is shown not only in words but in obedience, respect, and success in life — to make her proud, not ashamed. He also reminds of the duty to care for parents in old age and not to abandon them, for “he who does not care for his own has denied the faith.”

Spiritual conclusion:
He concludes that a mother’s love resembles God’s love, who compared Himself to a mother who does not forget her infant, calling children to repay that love with lifelong care, gratitude, and honor.

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