“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

Today, as we celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter, the Church also gives us the grace to honor our mothers, those living, those who have gone before us, and those who have been mothers to us in faith, care, and love. The Word of God we have heard today speaks deeply to the heart of this celebration, because it assures us of one powerful truth: we are not alone, we are not abandoned, we are not orphans. Jesus says in the Gospel: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” These words are just comforting and transformative. They speak into every human fear of abandonment, loneliness, and uncertainty. And in a special way, they reflect what motherhood is meant to be. A good mother does not abandon her child. She stays. She nurtures. She sacrifices. She guides. Even when the child does not fully understand, the mother remains present. In this way, motherhood becomes a living reflection of God’s own love. In the first reading from Acts, we see Philip bringing the Gospel to Samaria. The people receive the Word, they are healed, and “there was great joy in that city.” But something is still missing, the fullness of the Spirit. So, Peter and John come, lay hands on them, and they receive the Holy Spirit. This shows us something important: God does not just begin a relationship with us and leave it incomplete. He follows through. He stays with us. He fills us with His Spirit. This is exactly what Jesus promises in the Gospel. He speaks of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will remain with us and be in us. God is not distant. He is intimately present. He dwells within us. And this is where we connect again with our mothers. Many of us can remember moments when our mothers stood by us, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. They believed in us when we doubted ourselves. They encouraged us when we were discouraged. They prayed for us when we did not know how to pray. In many ways, our mothers have been instruments of the Holy Spirit in our lives. But today’s message also challenges us. Jesus says: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Love is not just a feeling; it is a commitment. It is lived out in obedience, in faithfulness, in action. In the second reading, St. Peter tells us to “always be ready to give a reason for your hope but do it with gentleness and reverence.” This is a powerful instruction, especially for our world today. We are called to witness to Christ, not with harshness or pride, but with humility, patience, and love. And here again, mothers teach us. A mother’s love is often quiet but strong, gentle but firm, patient but enduring. She teaches not only by words but by example. To those who are mothers: thank you. Your hidden sacrifices, your prayers, your endurance, these are not unnoticed by God even if your sons and daughters forget. You are living signs that God does not abandon His children. To those who struggle today, perhaps because of loss, broken relationships, or longing for motherhood, hear this clearly: God says to you, “I will not leave you orphans.” His love is deeper than any human absence. As we continue this Eucharist, we encounter the greatest sign that we are not abandoned. Jesus comes to us, Body and Blood, remaining with us, dwelling in us. He fulfills His promise right here on this altar. May we receive Him with open hearts, and may we go forth carrying His presence into the world.