Mothers and Preachers

Based on 1 Peter 3:15-16

The great preacher, Dr. G. Campbell Morgan had four sons all of whom
grew up to become preachers. One day, a visitor arrived and found the
whole family sitting around a table in the sitting room. The visitor decided
to tease one of the boys named Howard. "Howard," he asked, "who is the
greatest preacher in your family?" Howard who had a great admiration for
his father took a look at his father across the table and without a moment's
hesitation answered, "Mother."

Mothers may not know it but they are often responsible for the faith
development of their children more than many preachers put together. Take
the case of Madam Jones, a mother of eight who wanted to become a
preacher. She consulted the pastor to help her discern whether indeed God
wanted her to be a preacher. After listening to her story the pastor said to
her, "Madam Jones, God indeed wants you to be a preacher. You see He
has already given you the congregation" (meaning her large family). So on
this Mother's Day, I will like us to reflect on mothers and preaching. We
shall focus on 1 Peter 3:15-16.

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from

you an accounting for the hope that is in you (vs. 15b).

Who are these people who demand from us an account of the hope that is in
us? The answer, of course, is anyone. But more especially people with
whom we live and interact on a daily basis. For mothers this will mean their
husbands and children. People challenge our faith in the workplace and in
social gatherings, but the challenge that comes from family is more
demanding and more insistent.

The challenges that come from family and children can be both explicit and
implicit. Sometimes children ask you explicitly and directly, "Mom, why
do we do this?" or "Why do we say that?" Their questions can be very hard
to answer. Like the seven year old boy who asked his mother, "Mom, if
God is everywhere why do we have to go to church to pray?" But, hard as
the questions they ask may be, that is actually the easy part. The hard part is
being attentive enough to hear the questions they are asking, not in so many
words but by their changing attitudes and comportment, by their body
language. Mothers who are able to hear and respond to the unspoken
questions of their children are not just great mothers but great preachers as
well. Children today are growing up in an increasingly confused world.
They need answers. Are we ready to provide them?

St Peter advises us to "always be ready". But how can we be ready to

defend the truth of our faith, you may ask? The simple answer is: we must
be grounded in the faith ourselves and only then shall we be able to share it
with those around us. Nemo dat quod non habet: You can't give what you
don't have. We must make effort to know our faith more deeply by studying
the basic documents of our faith, the Bible, the teachings of the church, and
the lives of men and women of faith, the Saints. It was St Jerome who said
that: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ."

Yet do it with gentleness and reverence (vs. 16a)

This advice is very pertinent to mothers who tend to be so impatient with

their children because they have such a great love for them. A tender and
gentle approach is often more effective with children than a harsh and
abusive attitude.

Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who
abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame (vs.
16b)

Peter finally reminds us of the sublime truth that when it comes to sharing
our faith with others, example speaks louder than words. In fact, it is said
that the greatest legacy that a mother can leave her children in this world is
the testimony of a deep and exemplary life of faith. And so I will like to
end this homily with the words of Dorothy Law Nolte:

Children Learn What They Live (adapted)

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance and friendship, they learn to
find love in the world.

God bless you mothers as you go about your difficult task of imparting the
faith to our children.