Mothering Sunday

In Salisbury Cathedral close there is a statue of the Madonna. Not a traditional pose of Mary, holding a baby Jesus and looking very holy and remote. But this is a rather skinny, impoverished woman, her face showing both pain and determination, who is walking firmly away from the cathedral into the city.
One of her hands is outstretched. It is polished to a fine glow because if you stand and watch you will see countless people come up to her and take her hand. They stand silent, just for a moment and then they move off. Maybe you have done this yourself. I have. In a way she summarises for me what Mothering Sunday is all about.
For Mothering Sunday was historically a day for returning from our parishes to our mother church – the cathedral of the diocese. And as we did, for those of us who had left home, we would have the delight of seeing our own mothers and families – in days when communication and travel and days off were more difficult than now. The day was also one where we would honour Mary – mother of Jesus – who is also the patron saint of our cathedral. It was a day for giving thanks for all those who have nurtured us in our faith and our upbringing. And at the end of the day we would be sent out – back to our parishes to renew our mission and daily witness to our faith.
That statue of the Walking Madonna reminds me of all of these and draws a picture of the reality of what motherhood is all about.
For both the joy and the sacrifice of motherhood are at the heart of today’s Gospel. I want to pick out four aspects of this short reading.
Firstly there is amazement. Here is someone, Simeon, who is seeing Jesus for the first time without introduction – Simeon sees the baby Jesus, the miracle of the Son of God in Mary’s arms. And Mary and Joseph are amazed at his words.
Now I’m sure most of us have been amazed at what children can do .... not always in a positive way: the bedroom that was turned into a snow scene with sugar and flour comes to mind: but this isn’t quite what this is about.
For this amazement is finding wonder in what the child will become. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we did this to all children we met – instead of worrying about the noise or the mess? But it isn’t just to children .... for to be welcoming and nurturing, this is what I think we, as church, need to seek in each other – to encourage and nurture the gifts that we have so that we all grow as children of God.
Secondly there is blessing. Simeon blesses Mary and Joseph. To be blessed is to receive a gift from God. If we truly want to do God’s will, then with the blessing comes challenge and responsibility. Now children will know just how sharp a mother’s hearing can be ... it is amazing how mothers can pick up the sounds of the chocolate biscuit tin being opened: but that listening ear also means an awareness of danger –vigilance, care, alertness. It demands time and attention – it cannot be taken lightly. God’s gifts are so very precious that they demand of us our whole being; our involvement, our effort and sacrifice.
Which leads me to the third point. Mothering is not without pain. I wonder if Mary knew what she was letting herself in for at that moment when Mary replied to Gabriel – “ Here am I, the servant of the Lord – let it me unto me according to your word.”
Simeon warns Mary that a sword will pierce her own soul... he foretells the passion of Jesus, when we will see Mary seated at the foot of the cross. The vulnerability of mothering is that moment when we know that we love someone else much more than we love ourselves. So on this day it is good for us to remember in our prayers all those who have lost children or parents; and to give thanks for those whom we remember with love.
And finally mothering means a setting free – a sending out. Mary hears of what Jesus be for all people: but to do so – she has to let him go – to release God’s Son into his own mission and own calling. And we too must release those for whom we care – empowering them to grow and flourish in his service. So as Mothering Sunday draws to a close we are returned to that journey towards Easter ... and the proclamation of the message of Jesus to the world outside.
Let us give thanks for our mothers – for the witness and example of Mary mother of Jesus and for our mother church. And may we be worthy of their example, in the service of Jesus Christ. Amen.