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
Harvest Thanksgiving at St Michael and All Angels Waterville
In celebrating God’s creation and understanding , that we are part of his wonderful world, we understand that Christ, the Pantocrator, the Ruler of All, wants to marry his creation in us.
Praying Together 4th October 2026
A Meditation for Trinity 18 - Harvest 2026CollectEternal God, you crown the year with your goodness and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season: grant that we may use them to your glory, for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being; through...
Praying Together 20th September 2026
Salvation.
It can’t be earned. No-one can get more than the next person. There are no degrees of salvation. Salvation is personal and unique to each human being. It is the complete gift – all you can ever need.
Praying Together 13th September 2026
Our responsibility in the Christian life is to prepare people for receiving the Gospel – remembering that they are able to meet Christ themselves directly in prayer and scripture. We cannot meet Him on their behalf, and in His walk alongside them they will grow as His body on earth.
Praying Together 30th August 2026
Just like those early disciples and apostles there’s an important work to continue. You and I are part of that bunch of followers – ordinary people – let’s keep that in mind – as we reach out to others, each and every day of our lives.
Praying Together 23rd August 2026
Cambridge dictionary definition: ‘Conform’ – to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected by a group or society.
Praying Together 16th August 2026
We share the shame of both if we fail to address the divisive hatred within our own purportedly Christian ‘tribe’ before condemning others. For Scripture also says Judge not lest ye yourself be judged (Matthew 7:1). Jesus Himself makes it clear that hypocrisy has no place in a Kingdom founded upon love.
Praying Together 9th August 2026
Trusting Jesus and obeying His call takes commitment, it takes faith, it takes the courage to face antagonism, discomfort and sometimes suffering.
Praying Together 26th July 2026
Just cling to the promise that neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord
Pray Together 19th July 2026
We define hope as ‘to want something to happen or to be true, and have a good reason to think that it might’.
Praying Together 12th July 2026
But the real task to which godparents promise is to ensure that the newly-baptised are supported in their Christian growth, by prayer, advice and example.
Praying Together 5th July 2026
We obey His command, but not as slaves – instead, he invites us to be willing servants, alongside the freedom to always ask and reason together with Him as we choose our actions. Therein lies the path to Wisdom, and in God’s Wisdom lies gentleness, humility and rest for our souls.