Mothering God: Mothering Sunday 2021
Mothering Sunday is on the 4th Sunday of Lent, which this year is today. It was was once a day to return to the 'mother church' of your area or to honour Mary, mother of Jesus.
On this day Lent fasting rules were relaxed. It was therefore sometimes known as 'refreshment' Sunday. At one time children employed as domestic servants or apprentices were given the day off to visit their mothers and perhaps take a cake or posy of flowers.
Some people call today 'Mother's Day'. I'm not keen on that as the name 'Mothering Sunday' is a more inclusive way of looking at it. Not everyone is or can be a mother but we can all try to do what the best mother's do in the sense of providing a safe space for others to grow and flourish. And we all need to receive welcome, nurture and refreshment from others. I think that is part of what the church should be about - reflecting the perfect 'mothering' of God for all her children. (In saying that I am not denying the 'Fatherhood of God'.)
"As a mother comforts a child
so will I comfort you, says the Lord." Isaiah 66: 13
There is a beautiful hymn on this theme, written by Jean Janzen. It is based on some writing of Julian of Norwich about the motherhood of God. Here are the words:
Mothering God, you gave me birth
in the bright morning of this world.
Creator, Source of every breath,
you are my rain, my wind, my sun.
Mothering Christ, you took my form,
offering me your food of light,
grain of life, and grape of love,
your very body for my peace.
Mothering Spirit, nurturing one,
in arms of patience hold me close,
so that in faith I root and grow
until I flower, until I know.
Some people call today 'Mother's Day'. I'm not keen on that as the name 'Mothering Sunday' is a more inclusive way of looking at it. Not everyone is or can be a mother but we can all try to do what the best mother's do in the sense of providing a safe space for others to grow and flourish. And we all need to receive welcome, nurture and refreshment from others. I think that is part of what the church should be about - reflecting the perfect 'mothering' of God for all her children. (In saying that I am not denying the 'Fatherhood of God'.)
"As a mother comforts a child
so will I comfort you, says the Lord." Isaiah 66: 13
There is a beautiful hymn on this theme, written by Jean Janzen. It is based on some writing of Julian of Norwich about the motherhood of God. Here are the words:
Mothering God, you gave me birth
in the bright morning of this world.
Creator, Source of every breath,
you are my rain, my wind, my sun.
Mothering Christ, you took my form,
offering me your food of light,
grain of life, and grape of love,
your very body for my peace.
Mothering Spirit, nurturing one,
in arms of patience hold me close,
so that in faith I root and grow
until I flower, until I know.
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