Poor nutrition is a clear source of numerous ailments. Lack of vitamin C causes scurvy. A serious deficit in vitamin D can lead to weakened bones and osteoporosis. When a person does not have enough protein in his or her diet they can suffer from kwashiorkor, a wasting disease in which the body attacks its own tissues. Night vision is affected when a person is not consuming enough vitamin A.

"The Spirit of truth... will take from what is mine and declare it to you." Jesus says in today's Gospel that the Spirit declares something to US. We actually have a kind of share in the blessed life of the Trinity through this spiritual declaration. In particular, God gives us the gift of his truth. Traditionally, we say that God--the Blessed Trinity--is the source of all truth, beauty, and goodness.

In the United States military, the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) is the legal branch concerned with military justice and military law. Judge Advocates can serve as legal advisers to commanders. They can also act as prosecutors in courts-martial, or serve on the defense team. The first encounter many people had with this branch of the service was through the television series JAG that began in 1995 and aired on CBS through 2005. For ten seasons viewers followed the exploits of military lawyers in plots that occasionally stretched credulity.

The Synod on the Family was last October, and we now wait for Pope Francis to release his statement on what to do to strengthen the family in the twenty-first century. Many say that the family is under attack and we need to focus more intently on family values. One thing we may all agree on is the centrality of the figure of the mother in all families. It is that primary and central role of mother that draws family together. The mother is the glue that binds all families together. As we celebrate the tradition of Mother's Day, let us pray for our mothers, both living and deceased.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." Can we hear Jesus saying these words to us? It's often easier for us to imagine the apostles hearing this consoling command and following it, than to think of it really applying to us. After all, Jesus was standing right there with them.