Roc Homily for Feast of the Ascension & Mothers Day

Jesus told the disciples he will send them to preach “repentance, for the forgiveness of sins…”

These disciples are like mothers today and all women who nurture others – sent to proclaim something they haven’t accomplished yet.

It has seemed to me for a long time that many women, not all, I’m sure, are burdened with a sense of inadequacy or incompleteness intensified by perfectionism – “I need to try harder… I’m not worthy… I’m not doing it right…”  I read a piece by a Jesuit who said that ‘change based on intolerance is doomed to failure.’  Our efforts to change ourselves or others by tightening things down and trying harder doesn’t work due to the “ill-concealed violence” inherent in the need to change.

Rather, compassion and acceptance makes it happen.  I pray for all moms and all nurturing women – to be free of such burdens and not only experience repentance, but take joy in forgiveness of sins!” –roc,sj