God-given gifts

Our daughter and baby turns 21 today. We have already reminisced and reflected on that most happy day and there is nothing we would have done differently, nothing to change. She is the source of much joy and we have walked with her on her journey, nourished her, guided her, loved her. There were countless hours of reading to and with her, waiting outside dancing studios, enduring cartoon movies of princesses, horses and CareBears, then eventually party and nightclub drop-offs and pick-ups and the line (not too big) of prospective, potential and real boyfriends.
What a privilege we have as parents to nurture and care for our children. I am in awe of the God-given gifts we have been given.
This third Sunday of Easter we hear the story of the disciples’ walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13 – 35). This story is one of the richest we find in the post-resurrection narratives. This story of the blinkered disciples who fail to recognise their Master until the scriptures have been explained and bread broken at table mirrors our Eucharistic liturgy. There are allusions to the presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species, the kerygma is outlined and it concludes that, “The Lord has truly been raised.” It is an acclamation of faith.
There are many unanswered questions about this story and in its mystery we become companions of Cleopas, recounting the events of the Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and then listening in wonder as the stranger who joins us breaks open the sacred scriptures and what is revealed is God’s plan for humanity, indeed the person of Jesus himself. As much as the journey to Emmaus is a revelation (in which Jesus physically appears), each disciple undertakes an internal journey to discover the burning within their hearts, that the Lord is intimately present and that recognition comes from a love of the scriptures and an awareness and ‘awakeness’ to those who walk by us and with us every day.
Equally this Sunday we recognise the sacredness of motherhood. Enshrined as Mothers’ Day it is a day to celebrate our mothers. Enjoy your day and be spoiled.