If we consider what she has done for us, what she is doing for us, what she will do for us should some urgency require... and compare this to what little thanks she receives in turn - so will be our conclusion : mothers generally go unrecognized in this world.

Let us not make the same mistake.

The book of Ecclesiaticus (17:24-30) states, “Honor thy father and mother and forget not the groanings of thy mother.  Remember that thou hast not been born but through them: and make a return to them as they have done for thee.”

Our mother carried us nine months in her womb, she nourished us with her own substance; she gave us birth in a most painful way; she nursed us at the breast... when we could not feed ourselves, she fed us; when we could not change our diapers, she did.  As we grew, it is true, the father began to share the pains of child raising.  But is it “the groanings of thy mother” we are told not to forget.  Mostly, mothers need be praised for giving us life.

When father Tobias was growing old, he said to his son, also called Tobias, “When God shall take away my soul, thou shall bury my body, and thou shall honor thy mother all the days of thy life: for thou must be mindful what and how great perils she suffered for thee in her womb.(Tobit 4:3-4)

Our mother suffered to give us life... even now those heroic mothers who stay home to raise their children suffer.  The father gets to leave the home most days of the week; he gets to intermingle with companions, perhaps have lunch with co-workers at a café; he even receives promotions and certificates of “job well done.”  It is different with a stay home mother.  She stays home where she, day in and day out, looks at the same walls, hears the same voices, occupies herself with the same chores for which no promotion is forthcoming.  It is a suffering of the humdrum.

Do we give our mothers appreciation even for this type of  humdrum suffering?  Perhaps.  But as much as we ought, probably not.

Let us recall often the words of the book of Wisdom, “in the womb of my mother I was fashioned.”(7:1)   Without my mother I would not have life.  But to be praised too is that mother who sacrifices a job of the world for a world at home with her children.

On this day, and often besides, let us wish our mothers a happy day if not with words at least with a good life for virtuous children are the true pleasure of parents.  Adults - we should daily pray for our parents; we should call, write, or visit them frequently.  Children - pray every day for your parents, but also be obedient and uncomplaining; do your homework and chores on time and without complaint.  Good deeds greatly please our mothers and will be a sign of our appreciation for what they have done for us.  And should we ever make our mother angry let us hasten to ask for her forgiveness.  It is a terrible thing to anger a mother, “Cursed of God is he that angers his mother.” (Ecclu. 3:18)

 A few years ago lived that figure of a true mother in the person of Polly Rough Surface Fontenelle.   Polly grew up on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota and belonged to Assumption Catholic Church.  When 14 years old, she underwent critical heart surgery and was put on blood thinner medication which was she was to take for the rest of her life.

Later on Polly married and became pregnant.  She had been warned against pregnancy because of her heart condition but her desire for motherhood won out.  After her pregnancy was discovered, Polly was told to abort the child, advice she also refused.  Polly wanted to be a mother!

Moreover, Polly read up on her medication.  She discovered that it could harm the baby so she stopped taking it... wishing to save the baby from all harm. 

All was going well until about two and half months remained in the pregnancy.  Polly suddenly became sick and began fainting.  The next day, she was rushed to the hospital in Bismark.  The baby died during the afternoon and mother died the next day. 

Polly is a mother hero.  She gave her life hoping to give life to another.  “Greater love than this no one has than to lay down his life for a friend.”   Mothers - you do this too, not just by simply giving birth,  but by dying to self in raising of your children in the humdrum. 

Finally, mothers of all ranks, never forget the great reward laid up for you by the good God.  By fulfilling well your vocation you have many opportunities in the day to show your love for God.  We have only to consider the words of the blessed Lord to know this: “Whatever you have done for these little ones, you have done unto me.”