First of all... Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there (biological, spiritual etc.). A big shout out to my own mother whom I love so much. Thank you mom and Happy Mother's Day.

Now, I promise that wasn't just a cheesy irrelevant opening to what is supposed to be a prayerful reflection. Today's Gospel immediately made me think of love, specifically that of a family. Love that is selfless and a true gift of self that transcends time or even death. Why do we belong to Jesus? Because we belong to the Father and everything and every one who belongs to the Father belongs to the Son.

My faith is one of the greatest gifts my parents have ever given me. Who I am (for better or worse) intrinsically comes from my parents, in some way or another. My identity, my name, my humor, my personality, and my faith have all been inspired, shaped and formed by my parents. It is who I am, and that is the same for all of us, no matter what our relationships with our parents look like.

Jesus shows us the Father as a shepherd. A shepherd who protects His sheep and who sent His only Son to bring us back to Him. A love that doesn't just see us as sheep in a flock, but as truly His sons and daughters. And He gives us people in our lives to remind us of that. Today we reflect on the love of the mothers in our lives and see how it too is a reflection of the Father's love for us. A love that see beyond our flaws and simply wants us to come home and be part of the family.

How do you see yourself as a son or daughter of God? How does this affect your identity?

Why does Jesus often talk about the Himself and/or the Father as a shepherd? Why does He specifically do this in this reading today?

Who are the people who shared motherly love with you throughout your life? How have they shared that love with you?

"Here I am Lord."

"Jesus, I trust in You."

​"Mother Mary, bring me to your Son."

Pray for your mother, pray for all mothers today. Especially pray for all mothers who have lost a child. Ask Mary, our Heavenly Mother, to be with them today and to be their rock and their comfort.