Mothering Sunday 2 April 2000

The various titles used gives a variety of choice to the preacher on the 4th Sunday of Lent. Today, mid-Lent, is often called "Refreshment Sunday", a title suggested from the Gospel, St.John Ch 6, on this Sunday in the Book of Common Prayer. To us this Sunday is best known as "Mothering Sunday" because it is said that today’s Epistle in the Book of Common Prayer, tells of "Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the Mother of us all." (Gal 4.25).

The origins of Mothering Sunday are in England. In parishes with "Daughter" Churches it became customary for young people who were working to come up at mid-Lent to the Mother Church. Young people who were working away from home were given a free day to visit their Mothers and their Mother Church. It was an opportunity for a family reunion. They would bring a gift to their Mother - a simnel cake or a posy of spring flowers.

While the Church still holds on to the title of "Mothering Sunday", emphasising the role of "Mothering", and Christian nurture, secular society has renamed it with an Americanism: "Mother’s Day". A day which developed from a homely custom has been hijacked for/by commercial interests (or has become commercialised).

An old story tells of the visit of an angel to earth. Before returning he took three items as mementoes - a bouquet of flowers, a child’s smile, and a Mother’s love. As he went back to heaven he saw that the flowers were losing their fragrance and the smile was turning to a frown. On his arrival, he told his friends who were waiting to welcome him: "There is only one thing on earth which retains its beauty- A Mother’s Love".

While words may change their meaning or become tarnished by constant use. "Motherhood" is one of the few which has fixed meaning. It never changes. While the word "love" may have several shades of meaning for some, when we talk of "Motherhood" our meaning is clear.

The Jews have a saying, "God could not be everywhere, so he made Mothers". In Christian teaching central place is given to the Fatherhood of God. Among many, there is a desire to have the complimentary idea of Motherhood. The hunger in the human heart for Mothering is expressed by Isaiah: " As a Mother comforts her child so I will comfort you, says the Lord", (Ch 66.13). These words complement those of the Psalmist: "As a Father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him". (Psalm 103.13).

There are times when we need all that is Fatherly in God. On other occasions nothing but the Motherly will do. It is said that "Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity". God does for us what no one else can do. He comforts our sorrows, heals our pain and provides for our needs.

On Mothering Sunday we ought to spare a thought for all Women. In answer to the question, "Who is my Mother, or Brothers", Jesus replied, "Whoever does the will of God is my Brother, my Sister and Mother". Those who believed in him and followed him were Brothers, Sisters and Mother. "A friend in need is a friend in deed". The number of Women who have sacrificed their own future on behalf of others, caring for younger members of the family after a Parent’s death, or devoting themselves to an elderly Parent must not be forgotten.

The names of Florence Nightingale caring for wounded Soldiers and that of Mother Theresa in the slums of Calcutta are well known. Much less well-known are the names of many who found their Motherly instinct fulfilled in service to every kind of human need for Christ’s sake, doing what they did as to him.

As one of God’s way for caring for us is as a Mother, let us all come to him as his Children - in child-like humanity, wonder and simple trust.