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.
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This week I offer a report of our Archbishop John’s Introductory address to this week’s General Synod. It speaks for itself. I wish certain political leaders would read it too.
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Fortunately, God’s love is not restricted to those who do good. He sent His only Son to save sinners – whoever they may be, whatever they may have done wrong.
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Judgement is not restricted to either believers or non-believers – but All people
Praying Together 12th April 2026
Let’s talk about Peter, the ‘Rock’ on which Christ’s Church is built.
Seriously, would you have chosen him? Surely, one of the other Disciples would be the most highly qualified.
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A Reflection provided by the Revd. Barbara Irrgang-Buckley for the First Sunday of Easter
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Through our tears as we stand at the foot of the Cross and witness His Crucifixion on this Good Friday, we have the privilege of looking beyond the day unto a day of joy as we are assured of His life – then, today and tomorrow. We leave our past behind as we walk away from Golgotha, the place of the skull.
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These things are worth meditation and thought, as we enter this Holy Week – but the even more important question that we can only answer for ourselves, is embodied in twelve straightforward words written by Charles Wesley.
How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
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“Lazarus, come out.” He calls Lazarus by name. Even death cannot triumph, and so it is with sin. There is no depth or distance to which human being can go that can prevent them from hearing that call. It is up to them to choose to accept or deny it.
Praying Together 15th March 2026
Simeon, though, didn’t just hear about the Messiah being incarnate in the child – he also knew that the child’s destiny would involve pain and suffering in order to fulfil His mission. And Mary knew too. The consolation of Israel – of the world – would cost her the life of her child.
Praying Together 8th March 2026
And in turn, we are challenged to become messengers ourselves, however unsuitable or ill-equipped we might feel.