Talk by John Foxon – Thoughts for Mothering Sunday

Whether we call it Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day it is good to focus on the qualities of mothers. Here are some words of wisdom about motherhood:

•  “Mother is a verb. It’s something you do. Not just who you are”.
•  “Life doesn’t come with a manual; it comes with a mother”.
•  “A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s”
•  “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13).
•  “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (Proverbs 31:25).

Traditionally Mothering Sunday was the day when Christian’s were encouraged to visit their mother or home church where they were baptised and domestic servants were often given time off to visit their mothers. On this day it is also traditional to think about Mary, the mother of Jesus. It is always held on the fourth Sunday in Lent and was also a Refreshment Day when the privations of a restricted Lenten diet could be eased. The set readings for Mothering Sunday this year include Paul’s letter to the Colossians 3 vs 12-17 and John’s Gospel 19 vs 25-27.

In his letter to the Colossians 3 vs 12-17 Paul does not refer to mothers but does outline that we should behave with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” He also tells us, “over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity”. Whilst these are all qualities which we associate with motherly behaviour we should aspire to possess them whatever our gender.

Let us hope that if people were to return here to their “Mother Church” they would they find those qualities in abundance?

Mothers rarely stop thinking about their children no matter how old they are. In John 19:25-27 we are shown Mary’s motherly love as well as her anguish. Mary knew what it was to suffer. Mary suffered when she gave birth in a filthy stable, far from home. Mary suffered when she heard that Herod wanted to kill her baby. Mary suffered when she was forced to become a refugee in Egypt. Mary suffered as she watched a whole nation misunderstand and taunt her son. And, at the foot of the cross, Mary suffers again as she watches her son being crucified for a crime he has not committed. When Mary had presented the infant Jesus in the Temple Simeon had told her “This child is chosen by God for the destruction and the salvation of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God, which many people will speak against and so reveal their secret thoughts. And sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break your own heart.” That prophesy was now being painfully fulfilled. As much as she would have wanted things to be different, she had never stood in the way of his mission. Jesus knew this, of course, and rather than dwell on his own suffering his concern is to entrust his mother into the safekeeping of his disciple.

For some this day can be difficult. There are those whose mothers have passed away. There are those who are estranged from their mothers. There are those who have never known their mothers. So, for them let us aspire to put motherly love into practice. For guidance let us use this prayer of St. Anselm who identifies the motherly characteristics of Jesus:

“Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you; 
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
Often you weep over our sins and our pride, 
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement.
You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds, 
in sickness you nurse us, and with pure milk you feed us.
Jesus, by your dying we are born to new life; 
by your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; 
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead, 
your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us; 
in your love and tenderness remake us.
In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness, 
for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.”
Amen