Another thought, another week....

In the UK we celebrate Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday of Lent - which is where I have got to in my Thought For the Week catchup! Having just had 'Mother's Day' in the US & Canada it seems appropriate to put it up now. So here it is....

On March 14th, this coming Sunday, the Church celebrates Mothering Sunday (one of my grumpy quirks is that it isn’t Mother’s Day, which is an invention of Card Companies, but an old English Tradition of Mothering Sunday!). It is an important day where we give thanks for those who have cared for us and raised us, for the Church which – at it’s best – nurtures us and we remember a God who is tender and compassionate. Though we use ‘Father’ as our most common way of talking about God don’t confuse that with God being a man, or even just like our own fathers – God is like the best, most perfect father and mother, loving, caring, nurturing, challenging, encouraging. This Mothering Sunday, as you take your wife/mum/granny breakfast in bed, remember that both she and you are loved by the God who welcomes us all in to his (or her) family!

Comments

quilly said…
It seems like every year as the church gathers to celebrate Mother's Day the women who are not and never have been mothers get insulted. I actually attended one church that took it to such an extent that I quit attending on Mother's Day Sunday. Why should I have to ask forgiveness and apologize for never having been blessed with children? (Not officially, but the old busy-bodies saw to it).

This year the church I attend practiced something more inline with celebrating women nurturers. I highly approve of Mothering Sunday because I have done plenty of nurturing in my lifetime and I have been nurtured by God who loves me even if he didn't bless me with children from my own body.
2:30 am
Alastair said…
Amen to that Quilly, I certainly celebrate the role of carers and nurturers and the calling to be a carer in our services!
8:33 am
Alastair said…
And also (always think of things to say later!) I prefer 'Mothering Sunday' as in that tradition we celebrate the gift of nurturing (and especially our own mothers, where appropriate, and other carers), we celebrate the 'Mother Church' which at her best nurtures and cares for us, and we remember the God who is Father and Mother to us all. It's not meant to be just about being a mum....
9:07 am
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