One of the ways we entertain ourselves is by participating in or watching competitions. Sports is good to learn team work and help our physical well being. Lifegiving friendships are formed. On collegiate and professional levels sports are a huge business that generate tremendous amounts of money. On TV we have sports channels and so many other channels that broadcast games in the different sports seasons. Sports is so enveloping that it takes time, energy, and hard work for children and their families who juggle schedules to get everything else besides done. One of the “competitors” that has taken over our Sundays is between going to Mass and going to sports competitions. Sunday is a prime day for the different media channels to beckon us to watch whatever competitors we like. How far civilization has come from observing the Lord’s Day by focusing on Him and His presence to not finding enough time to fit the Lord in on His Day.

There are certain people, places, and situations where we feel very comfortable. It is encouraging to be accepted, respected, and loved and to be with people we love, accept, and respect. But we are not in a comfort zone every moment of every day. Some days and situations make us uncomfortable. It is in those situations that we need the courage and wisdom to be who we are in the best sense possible. When we are in a controversial place, our challenge is to respond with the courage and Spirit of who we are as followers of Jesus Christ, that is, to respond with His courage and Spirit. Jesus Himself faced many challenging people and situations. He responded with His inner trust and love for the Father and the inner hope and love He had for those He was with. The Gospel passages these past Sundays have come from the Last Supper accounts of St. John’s Gospel, chapters 13-17. In the ever hastening moments of the suffering and injustice He was about to face and endure, Jesus met the challenge with unconditional love for the Father and us, trusting and hoping we would accept and embrace Him and His love.

Every day I begin praying the Divine Office in my breviary by taking the holy cards from my mother and father that I use as book markers and hold them to my heart, thanking God for them and asking them to pray for me. It fills me with joy and gratitude to think about and pray for them. They are a great source of hope for me as I begin my prayers every day.

Today we celebrate Mother’s Day and thank our mothers for all they have done for us. As I have mentioned many times before, at Christmas and on her birthday my mother would say, “Don’t buy me any gifts, just come to see me.” Being with those we love is a tremendous source of joy, hope, and gratitude, especially with those who have given us their hearts, minds, and souls. May we always know the blessing our mothers are to us.

There are many attractions, places, and people we think about seeing at different points in our lives. One of the most beautiful and interesting places I have been is on a cruise to Alaska. It was amazing to see the wonder of glaciers, whales and salmon jumping out of the water, and just the pristine beauty of nature there. But there is one place we all want to go, but not yet: the Kingdom of Heaven when we die. Jesus speaks about the preparations He has made for all of us in the Gospel for today’s Mass (John 14:1-12): “"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way."