Mother's Day: An Admonishment From A Son

I think it is great that our nation sets aside a day to remember of our Mothers. In it's present form it was started by Anne Marie Jarvis after the death of her mother. A service was held on May 12th, 1907 at Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church in West Virginia and then the following year another service was held on May 9th, 1908. It grew in popularity that the State of West Virginia passed it into law in 1910 with other states quickly following suit. By 1914 the Congress passed into law on May 8, 1914t hat the second Sunday should be a day to honor mothers. On the following day Woodrow Wilson made a proclamation that it should be a day to honor mothers whose sons had died in war. To this day Andrew Methodist Episcopal Church is considered a memorial to the creation of the holiday.

Mother's Day is good holiday day to have and practice. It is good because the fifth commandment reminds us to "Honor thy father and mother." Jesus even reminds the Pharisees of this in Matthew 15:4 that the commandment says to ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.' Seems so nice doesn't it. I am going to glorify God with this money even when my mother or father have need of it. Rather than taking our example from the Pharisees let us look to the apostle Peter.

A good example of honoring thy father and mother comes from Peter. We find Jesus in Luke 4:38 entering Simon’s house. And what do we find? "But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her." How does that go with honoring thy mother in your book? Peter seemed to get the idea that honoring father and mother also meant mother-in-law. Do we undermind our spouses attempt to honor their parents through remarks and criticisms? I am not excusing poor behavior but judge yourself to see your motives in how you talk about your spouse's parents.