Behold Your Mother

Jesus’ own family has come in search of Him and are outside waiting. At this news, Christ raises two questions before the crowd: “Who is my mother? And who are my brethren?” (Matthew 12:48) Answering His own inquiry, Jesus says, “…Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:50).

God’s definitions quite differ from those of this world. The world defines “neighbor” as he/she who lives next-door to me. God defines it as EVERYONE. Here in this passage God says that family—my family, your family—is anyone who does His will. In Matthew 25, Jesus broadens the definition to include “the least of these” as His brothers and sisters. But it isn’t surprising, given how inclusive God is. His invitations are always to “whosoever will”—whosoever will call upon His name, whosoever will come, whosoever will believe, etc. He is not willing that anyONE should perish. WE are Christ’s hands and His feet, which answers the age-old question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” I hear within the Scriptures a resounding, “YES!”

It takes me back to that frigid night years ago in Cusco when I heard the faint plea of an elderly woman begging. “It is so late, and so cold out here,” I thought to myself, “Why is this old woman on the streets this late, in these temperatures?” Taking her icy hands in mine, I stooped down to peer into her face. She should have been in a warm bed, inside of a cozy home, surrounded by loved ones. Here she was pleading for something to fill the ache in her stomach. She looked up at me so gratefully, and I saw in that moment the FACE OF MY MOTHER! Pain gripped my heart. I had nowhere to take her that night, no home to open, no bed to offer that precious mother suffering in the cold. That formidable moment became a catalyst, compelling us to begin rescuing elderly in Peru.

Because of your support, we can keep our doors open to “whosoever” has need, and the Home of Refuge is currently home to 26 elderly and 11 children. Because of your giving, , a 78-year old mother, isn’t on the streets begging for someone to stop and have pity on her. She sleeps in a warm bed, in a cozy home, surrounded by love. But it wasn’t always so for Alejandrina. Though she is a mother of three, none of her three children care for her. She spent years living alone, in abject poverty, with deteriorating health, until the authorities in her city (Mollepata, Peru) noticed her impoverished condition and inquired whether Home of Refuge would receive her.  Of course, our answer was a resounding “YES”, and Alejandrina has been with us now since last year.  She is always asking, “Where are my children?”—a question no mother should have to ask. But if we could explain to Alejandrina the truths of God’s Word and His love, she would understand an answer to her persistent question. The truth is, Alejandrina’s children are each of you who give to keep our doors open. You are the ones caring for Jesus’ mother, and brothers, and sisters…the least of these…and in doing so, you are their true family. Rosa and I say to each of you, “Thank you”.  Thank you for recognizing that what you do each month—no matter how large or small your giving may be—really, really matters. It keeps us providing medical care to residents, like Alejandrina who was just diagnosed with cancer, or to others who require special healthcare in this elderly stage of their lives. Your giving provides far beyond the necessities of life; it provides hope, joy, peace, protection, and comfort. It provides a future. And that is why the Home of Refuge exists; it is because of each of you who give and who pray. It is not any easy ministry that Rosa and I have been enabled to do over the past 24 years. There have been good moments and sad ones, many trials and many blessings. But in the end of all of this, we are more than conquerors, and YOU are a part of all that we reap in eternity. Thank

Please remember, we need your financial help to host this month’s Christmas celebration at the Home of Refuge. We want to give gifts, prepare a feast of special foods, and commemorate God’s gift of Jesus to us all. Will you make it possible? Will you send whatever God places in your heart to give so that we can host this event? We need extra help this month, and we thank you in advance for being a part of this special moment.

            In closing, I want to draw your attention to some of Christ’s final words and actions, which demonstrate all we have been discussing in this newsletter. In John 19, telling of the crucifixion, we read that when Jesus “therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” (John 19: 26-27) Notice how Christ takes very seriously the responsibility children have to care for their parents. He ensured his mother’s well-being, entrusting her to His disciple. Does He not still do the same today? Is not Jesus still asking of His disciples—of you and of me—to care for His mother, His brother, His sister? We know He is. And so we keep moving forward, caring for whosoever will come, and doing what we can to minister to every “Alejandrina” entrusted to us. I believe that if you could peer into Alejandrina’s face in these last days of her life, and you could watch how YOUR giving is providing for her needs, you would feel Christ’s pleasure over you for responding. As long as there are elderly to serve, we will still hear the words of our Lord, “Behold your mother.”

In Christ,

Tony and Rosa Rivera

Home of Refuge International, Inc.