What a blessing each day to find that our Mother Church has beautifully joined the Old and New Testament readings together to sing the sweet song of salvation. Today is no exception; and today, the song is for mothers.

In the book of Wisdom, we hear about the holy children who kept the faith in secret, whose good works were unknown. Isn’t this like you, dear mother, whose little acts of love and patience often go unnoticed? Are your moments of amazing self-control with your children a secret between you and God alone?

And who doesn’t sometimes feel like Moses, who St. Paul says was “as good as dead”? 

So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore (Heb 11:12).

Moses and Sarah were old, tired, and barren, yet God brought forth from them thousands of faithful descendants. What great wonders will your secret good works do, dear mama, when you are feeling old and tired or barren like Sarah and Moses? 

The Psalmist promises that God will deliver [you] from death and preserve [you] in spite of famine. If you hope in him, even when you are worn out, spiritually spent, and sure that no one sees the good you do, God promises his mercy. He will draw others to the promised land through you, just as he did with Moses.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear him, upon those who count on his mercy, To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive through famine.

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield. For in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust (Ps 33: 18-20).

St. Pope Paul VI said that “Every mother is like Moses. She does not enter the promised land. She prepares a world she will not see.” 

That is our role: to point ourselves and our children to the promised land of heaven, not knowing if we will have success, but trusting that God will make up for what we lack.  

It isn’t easy. This calling means acting faithfully when no one notices, when you are bone tired, when you are parched earth. But you are not alone. Jesus is here to comfort you and remind you that this desire for heaven is SO good! He says: 

Do not be afraid any longer little [mother], for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom . . . Provide money bags . . . that do not wear out . . . for wherever your treasure is, there also will your heart be (Lk 12: 32-34).

Dear little mother, sew bags of virtue and fill them with good works and teach your children to do the same. Then take your bags and go, like Moses, in search of the promised land of heaven. You will not be alone on your journey; you will be sustained. Your secret good works will not go unnoticed; rather, your Father, who sees all, is pleased with you and will give you the kingdom.