In Few days we will celebrate Mother’s Day on which each mother is honored for her great role in life of her children, family as well as her home country. It was described by the prominent writer, Tawfiq al-Hakim, that “If the mind of the woman withers and dies, than the mind of the whole nation will die”
When we speak of maternity, letters and words will not be able to clarify and embody depth of this feeling. Motherhood is embodied in a big heart encompasses the whole world, eyes lifted up to heaven praying for her family and unceasing effort to make everybody comfortable.
This is the best description of a righteous mother that the Wise said about, “Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies…
She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar
She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants…
She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet…
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her…”
A well-known life principal is that whoever works individually, sincerely and spares no effort will achieve success. But it will be better to create achievements as a team. A mother who exerts effort solely without any positive participation from the father will have a positive impact on her children’s life but there will always be undefined shadowed space that stirs confusion in her children’s heart and mind. In all households, integrated roles lead the family members to reach utmost success. Thus, children will agree on what someone said before that his mother is so precious and his father is so unique. Parents are the source of love and stability for the family. As per the saying, “A mother loves from all her heart and a father loves with all his strength”. Each member of the family should understand how to communicate love to the other members without blame, hurt or pressure.
The more cohesive a family is, the more cohesive a community and the stronger the ties between its individuals. Thus, community will turn into a grand family whose members work for the good of others and they will live amid growing bonds of friendship, love and respect. A community should realize that a stable structure of a family is beneficial not only for its future but for the whole nation’s as well.
We have to realize our role in caring for the bereaved that lost a father, a mother or both offering them attention, kindness and care they enjoyed when their parents were alive. Love and care are two natural qualities that belong to all human beings. Then we ought to offer them to all people especially those who are in need for. Many role models in the society have consecrated their whole life to serving others. Mother Teresa is a contemporary example that proves life is open for acts of giving for the sake of humanity and greater good.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
