Lent 4 – Mothering Sunday
Collect
Colossians 3: 12-17
Luke 2: 25-35
‘a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
Mothering Sunday. Not Mother’s Day. Although there’s nothing wrong with buying your Mum some flowers or (and) a box of chocolates, you shouldn’t need a once-a-year prompt to do so. Mother’s Day is an essentially a made-up Hallmark holiday – a business opportunity. And don’t get me started on Father’s Day, Grandparents Day or be nice to your Budgerigar Day.
Mothering Sunday is a different thing altogether. It’s a day of being aware of, and thankful for, the caring and loving relationships that exist within family and friends. Certainly, in most cases (but sadly not all), the role of a Mother epitomises those relationships. She is the one to whom we turn in times of desperate need. There are many stories of young people feeling newly independent as they proudly march off to war, but later in a field hospital screaming out and calling for their Mother in their semi-conscious extreme pain. And there are few Mothers who do not carry a deep worry and concern for their children in their heart throughout their life no matter how grown up they are. The mothering love is always there.
In the joy of the Angel-promised birth of her Son, Mary lives her life in the knowledge of Simeon’s prophecy. The words burn in her memory. But even in the anguish and the pain of His crucufixion, she stays with Him unto the end. And He experinces the pain not just of the nails but of seeing his Mother’s heartbreaking suffering as she watches at the foot of His cross.
He is comforted by the the love she has for Him – in turn, He shows His care for her, even in His pain. He asks that she be taken into John’s family. We too will watch Him die – to save us. Amazing love. Or, you might say, the Mothering love of the Son for us, His children.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 9th June 2024
If we just give in and believe that there is nothing we can do to bring about such a change, the dream will never come true. So let’s not.
Praying Together 2nd June 2024
You may remember the song: ‘It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it, that’s what gets results.’ Catchy tune, catchy title. But wrong. Actually, it’s the other way round – ‘It ain’t the way that you do it, it’s what you do…’
Praying Together 19th May 2024
By the power of the same Spirit strengthen us to witness to your truth and to draw everyone to the fire of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Praying Together 12th May 2024
But in Christ, a much more reliable ‘Truth’ can be found. Truth in the ‘Logos’ – the Word. The Word made flesh.
Praying Together 5th May 2024
Collect for Easter 6 God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: Grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through...
Praying Together 28th April 2024
‘If you love God, then you love your brothers and sisters’. You cannot have one without the other. If you do not love your brother and your sister, you cannot claim that you love God. No exclusions.
Praying Together 21st April 2024
There is only one leader who invites us to follow of whom we can be sure – the one who is prepared to lay down His life.
Praying Together 14th April 2024
It is easy, with hindsight, to criticise the disciples for their incredulity. But we have to ask ourselves what we would do in their place.
Praying Together 7th April 2024
We are challenged to decide what we need to ‘see’ to believe – and then to seek it in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Praying Together 31st March 2024 Easter Day
“I have seen the Lord”. It is difficult to imagine her emotions. She has seen the Lord! She doesn’t yet understand fully – but her eyes have seen Him. Her life is changed for ever, and she doesn’t care who knows it.
Praying Together 24th March 2024
But Jesus is aware of what He will have to endure in order to fulfil His mission of salvation – and He sets the necessary elements in motion.
Praying Together 17th March 2024
The Anglican Church of Ireland has produced an excellent example of the way in which St Patrick’s life embodies the Five marks of Mission – a real cause for celebration and a model for us to follow (And by the way, St. Patrick’s flag colour is blue, not green.)