Mothering Sunday 2020 Sermon Online

May I speak in the name of the father, of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen.

The readings for Mothering Sunday are stories of the love of mothers, the joys and pain of motherhood, and most importantly the ways in which the love of God is shown through the love of those who care for children.

First today we heard the story of Moses in Exodus 2.1-10.  We have heard this story many times, Moses and the basket on the river Nile; but it can be easy to miss the themes of oppression, sacrifice and a mother’s love despite sadness as she has to let him float on the river to keep him safe. I wonder how this passage speaks to you.  For me it recalls the reality of refugee families who travel across continents to find safety, often becoming separated from each other. 

Our second reading today was from Paul's letter to the Colossians 3.12-17.  This passage sets out the qualities that help to encourage people within our families, church and community. 

This is especially relevant
on Mothering Sunday as we think about our own families and the ways in which the love and actions of others can influence and help us.

There are seven qualities in our Colossians reading.

1. Wanting to help others (Compassion)
2. Being friendly and generous (Kindness)
3. Thinking about others more than ourselves (Humility)
4. Wanting to learn rather than  argue (Meekness)
5. Agreeing together on decisions (Harmony)
6. Being able to wait for things (Patience)
7. Love

If we had been gathered today I would have asked you some questions about these qualities and I'm sure I would have received some fabulous responses.  Instead I will pose the questions now and invite you to answer them as comments on one of our social media platforms.

■ Which of these words do you think you are good at?
■ Which of these words do you find hard to show?
■ What might ‘clothe yourself’ in these words mean?
■ Who in your family shows one or more of these qualities?
■ How do these qualities help your community?


Our third reading today takes us to the cross in the Gospel of John.  John 19.25-27

Jesus is looking at Mary and John and encourages Mary and John to care for each other.  This is a lesson for us all in how the love of mothers and children can be expressed in other relationships: Between a grandparent and child, a godmother and godchild, a foster parent and child, a mentor and apprentice.

The other way this is an important relationship is between the church and the children of God - you and me.  The mother church is the way God loves us.

Let's go back to the cross, to Jesus speaking to John and Mary.

“Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, ‘He is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘She is your mother.’ From that time the disciple took her to live in his home.”

Jesus forms a new family at the foot of the cross; a new community between a boy and a woman - the church.

In the same way we are a community in Earley, a family of St Nicolas, relatives through our love of God and each other.

Mary and John comforted and helped each other in their sadness; they encouraged and strengthened each other in hard times; and they cared and shared lives together in love.

Comfort
Encouragement
Strength
Care
Hospitality
Love

What better words can there be to define church, to define family.

So, as we worship together on this Mothering Sunday, we thank God for those who have mothered us.  And we give thanks to God for this church community where we find comfort, encouragement, love and hospitality.
Amen.