A Confirmation of LOVE

I arrived a little early in the school’s chapel. I found a comfortable seat at the last pew where I comfortably watched the young adolescent children chatting and buzzing around as they waited for their parents and godparents. I could see myself in them some years ago. Those blooming teenage kids, about 11-13 years old, were so lively and energetic. It was as if they own the world around them. They’re just so excited to explore and discover everything! For them, nothing in this life is too complicated. They will just about to experience greater challenges in the years ahead. My mind played with them as I wondered how they would be several years from now!

It was my first time to stand as a godmother and sponsor in a confirmation. Two of my boss’ sons will be receiving the sacrament of confirmation and I was invited to be the godmother of the elder son, Vince. The younger one, Allen, had just left the hospital to receive the sacrament and will soon return right after the confirmation for his scheduled operation on the following day. The doctor was just considerate enough to allow Allen attend his confirmation just so adding more strength, spiritually, before his operation.

Finally, my boss came with her two sons. The rite was about to begin. The commentator asked the students to go to their assigned places and announced the beginning of the Holy Mass. My boss and I sat beside each other. It was a solemn mass. In the homily, the Bishop explained to the students the value of the sacrament of confirmation. I did listen very well too! I must admit that of all the seven sacraments, it is the sacrament of confirmation that I don’t have enough knowledge about! The students listened attentively, though I knew most of these kids don’t really mind about the sacrament they will about to receive. Well anyway, I never mind too when I was at their age!

The rite itself started after the bishop’s homily. The godparents were asked to walk with their godchildren towards the bishop for the anointing of oil (chrism). My godson is a lot taller than I am. I told my godson that the bishop might lay his hands on me instead; of course that was just a joke! As we approached the bishop, I thought of the word ‘responsibility’. As a godmother, I should be a living-good example to him. I have several godchildren under the sacrament of baptism but this one is different. The feelings were different! Since, my godson is already a teenager; I anticipate greater expectations from him.

After the rite, I went back to my seat right beside my boss, and then the mass continued. After receiving the communion, my boss suddenly broke into tears. I was so surprised. I have never seen her crying, not even once! I could remember when she told me “in our work, I couldn’t afford to be emotional”… For me, she’s an emotionless, apathetic person. I hated her. But at that very moment when I saw her crying, all my impressions about her vanished just like a wind! I couldn’t do anything but to comfort her and gave her a hug. I could feel her pains. She told me “I am so afraid! I am so afraid for my little boy’s operation!” Really, those words melted my heart away. Then, I found myself crying with her! Nothing is more painful than to see a mother crying much more to hear the cries! My boss shared to me “I only cry when he’s sleeping. When he wakes up, I have to smile again!”

It is really difficult to be a mother because you can’t show them your weak spots; you can’t cry in front of them or they lose hearts. You have to show that you are strong even when you are not because they gather strength from you.

At that instant, I remembered my mother! I remembered the times I gave my mom head aches and pains. I remembered how she gets worried every time I got sick or hurt. I remembered how she used to tell me to ‘do this’ or ‘do that’, ‘not that one’ or ‘this one is better’! I remembered how often times, I did not appreciate her for that simple gestures of love and care. I felt guilty; I thought she’s too hard and upright without looking deeper into her emotions and intentions. I failed to understand that she has feelings too just like me but she has to show me that she’s strong. I may not fully understand everything now but I know someday I will! Especially when I become a mother myself! I know I am so much like her. Just like in one of the memorable lines in the movie “Armageddon”, (Grace to her father, Harry): “I lied to you, too, when I told you that I didn't wanna be like you, because I am like you. Everything good that I have inside of me I have from you.”

Later that day, I realized, more than just witnessing the sacrament of confirmation (for the first time), it also confirmed and strengthen my thinking about a mother’s love; a love that is true and pure; a love that is so assuring and constant. A mother's love is instinctual, unconditional, and forever!

Let’s be grateful to our mothers by simply appreciating their presence in our lives! Let us pray for them that they may always have the passion inside them to love and nurture their families!

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others."- Cardinal Mermillod