Week beginning 22nd March 2020

Mothering Sunday

Fourth Sunday in Lent

1 Samuel chapter 1.

Luke chapter 1. verses 46-56

Luke chapter 13. verses 31-35

In an episode of the quiz programme QI, the host Stephen Fry, asked the question, "Who should you go to visit on Mothering Sunday?"  The Rev. Richard Cole gave the only correct answer.  "Your Vicar!".  

In the United States, "Mother's Day" is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.  This follows a campaign in the early part of the 20th century,the outcome of which was the signing of a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914.  Because I have an @aol.com email address, spam senders tend to assume that I am American, and I get many emails telling me about Mother's Day offers, in May.  

Formerly, Mothering Sunday is the day when people would visit their mother church, the church where their family had brought them up.  Over the years, in the U.K. this has evolved into the day when people visit their mothers.  Possibly this was because people's families were located in the place where their mother church was.  

This year, many, or most, people are incapable of pursuing either act.  They can neither visit their church, nor their mother, due to the restrictions imposed as a response to the corona virus pandemic.  These restrictions lead to feelings of isolation and powerlessness.  

In a song titled "Mother What'll I do now?" he wrote with Fred Cliffe, George Formby mused on the problems of separation from his mother.  (song available at https://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/m/motherwhatllidonow.html)
He was overwhelmed with the problems of this isolation.  He could instead have concentrated on the things that his mother had done for him.  As we encounter these feelings, perhaps we can consider how we can use this time to the glory of God.

The bible contains many examples of motherhood; today's readings about Hannah and Mary are good examples.  Commitment and consecration are the major themes.  Motherhood is not an easy option, as shown in the story "When God created mothers" by Erma Bombeck. (The story is available at https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/421248-when-god-created-mothers )

In Genesis (chapter 1, verses 26-27) we are told that Male and Female were both created in the image of God.  Men and women both show us something of the glory of God.  The image of a mother has a great deal to teach us about the Almighty.  In Luke's gospel, (chapter 13, verses 31-35) we read of Jesus wanting to "mother" the lost.  Many of our traditional images of God are very strongly masculine, but there are aspects to God's personality which are represented by things which we consider feminine.

There is a verse to the hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the king of creation, which reads:

Praise to the Lord, who doth

nourish thy life and restore thee,

Fitting thee well

for the tasks that are ever before thee,

Then to thy need

He like a mother doth speed,

Spreading the wings of grace o'er thee.

This references the above story.  It is written more recently than the rest of the hymn, by the author Rupert E. Davies.

In a family, it is often the case that children will approach different parents for different needs.  Both are necessary, both are parents, but because they are different, they contribute different things to the child's upbringing.  

There is a story of a child painting a picture.  When asked what they were painting, the child replied "I'm painting a picture of God."  "But no-one knows what God looks like." came the response.  "They will when I'm finished" said the young painter.

All people are made in the image of God, and therefore show us something of God, some aspect of His personality.  On Mothering Sunday we remember that mothers show an aspect of God's power, presence and nature.

A Prayer.

Gracious God, as a mother loves her child so you love us.  For that great truth we praise and thank you.

We owe our very lives to you.  You have watched over us from our birth, tenderly nurturing us with love.

When we have needed you, you have been with us.

Gracious God, we have not always appreciated your love, all too often ignoring what you would teach us, disobeying your instructions, taking you for granted and wandering from your side. 

Yet through it all your love has remained constant.

Gracious God, caring for us more than you care for yourself, sacrificing your all for our sakes, loving us with an unquenchable love, you have called us to be your children.  We praise and thank you, in the name of Christ.  Amen.