Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This is an appropriate greeting at any time, a few weeks ago we celebrated Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This is because Mothering Sunday has its origins in the Middle Ages and was a day of honouring mother churches. This allowed those who lived away, often those in domestic service, to return on Mothering Sunday to the church where they had received the sacrament of baptism. They would be going home to their first church and greeting there their brothers and sisters in Christ.
It must have been a great day of meeting people, that they had not seen for a long time. A bit like returning home after a first term at university, or after working away for a few months. My adult children love to come home on Bonfire Night each year because they know that they can meet up with their friends who are coming home too.
Nowadays the emphasis is on celebrating mothers and motherhood and in the church context this seems to exclude quite a few people. When I was single, I found Mothering Sunday rather awkward. For some women it may even be painful, highlighting what we long for, what we have never been or what we have lost. As for men, they don’t get a look in on Mothering Sunday, apart from running around buying flowers and writing cards!
In my view, the original celebration would be so much more encouraging. It certainly would be rather interesting to return to the church where one was baptised for one Sunday in the year. Imagine the connections, meeting people you have not seen for such a long time, checking in on the church where you started your spiritual journey. A day of connection, gratitude, honouring and unity. How splendid!
Afterall, whatever human family we are part of, whether large, happy and thriving or small, dispersed or discordant; we can all take heart. Why? Because we belong to the family of God here in Seaford and that family stretches around the globe and across time. What’s more, there will be a day when we all get together for a celebration like never before!
In Matthew 12:46-50, Jesus is told that his family are outside and want to see him. He then asked the messenger a question: “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” and pointed to his disciples and declared: “Here are my mother and brothers! For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Now that is some statement, especially in the context of the day in which his mother Mary is probably a widow. I don’t think that Jesus is being rude to his earthly family, but he is emphasising that we belong to the family of God and that is even more important and enduring.
It is a wonderful thing to belong to God’s family, to have brothers and sisters in Christ! Nurturing the young ones, caring for the older ones, being kind even when we disagree, crying when members of the family hurt and laughing together at the funny moments!
Moving on from Mothering Sunday, may we celebrate on every Sunday, that we belong to the family of God!
With love and blessings! Carole the Curate