We are in a new phase of Lent. There is no longer a focus on penance but on promise. The Prophet Isaiah describes God's promise to Israel. During the Babylonian exile, Israel felt that God had forgotten them because of their grievous sin. They believed God had "kicked them to the curb" or "thrown them under the bus." God uses colorful figures of speech to reassure them of His love despite the discipline He had enforced.
Does a woman forget her nursing child or show no compassion for it? He asks. Even if these may forget, I will not forget you.
A recurring theme that resonates with me from these readings is the profound significance of parental figures in our lives. Regardless of circumstances, the love of my mother and father is not just a small fragment of the miracle of my existence. Our parents play an indispensable role in nurturing, guiding, and sustaining us from our very inception. While others may also contribute to our growth, our parents shepherd us through the tender stages of life until we can stand on our own and perhaps embark on the journey of parenthood ourselves.
My upbringing, provided by my parents, created a nurturing environment where my siblings and I flourished. We were nourished in both body and mind, and our spiritual development was cultivated through our close connection to the church and parish community. Fond memories of the church of Our Lady of Fatima, my home parish, where we spent countless hours in Mass, catechism classes, and extracurricular activities, are a testament to the love and guidance we received from our parents and our faith community.
However, I am acutely aware that not everyone experiences such a nurturing upbringing. For some, the language of mother and father in these readings may evoke feelings of darkness and fear, highlighting the absence or inadequacy of parental care.
Upon deeper reflection on the metaphors presented in the scriptures, I am reminded to be grateful for the love and care I have received from my parents and others who have shaped my faith journey.
We don't expect some people to forget us, do we? But the truth is, people are people, and all people sometimes forget. Isaiah asks, “Can a woman forget her nursing child?” It is highly unlikely, but possible, because mothers are human, too. We’re all human. We’re all finite. As we read in Isaiah, the Lord says, “Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.” As dedicated as human mothers are, God is even more dedicated.
This means we are permanently in His mind, under His care and protection. That’s the promise God gives us today. Think about it. God compares Himself to more than a loving mother. The Bible emphasizes the fatherhood of God, but there is also a “motherhood” side to God’s nature that we must not forget. Tertullian said: "God is our Father, but He has a mother's heart."
Father Boby John, C.S.C., ordained a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 2008, worked as a pastor and as an educator with tribal populations in Northeast India for thirteen years. Originally from Kerala, India, Father Boby grew up with three siblings. He is a dedicated and detailed educationist with experience in educational leadership. He is currently working as an executive assistant at the world headquarters of Holy Cross Family Ministries, North Easton, Massachusetts.
