“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
This is a special day, the fourth Sunday in Lent, when we remember mothers, the person who gave birth to us, who raised us and had influence in our lives, without whom we would not be here. In a sense every day is mother’s day. Now I know that everyone might not have had an ideal mother but remember that God cares for us like an ideal mother, in Isaiah 66:13 God said “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you”. And in at least 5 of the psalms there are references to the image of God being like a mother bird protecting her chicks under her wing, Psalm 36:7 says:
“How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and
low among men
Find refuge in the shadow of your wings.”
We are wrapped up in the love and care of God, like a mother’s love only more so, and we are empowered to share that same love with others. For that love gives us strength.
Find refuge in the shadow of your wings.”
We are wrapped up in the love and care of God, like a mother’s love only more so, and we are empowered to share that same love with others. For that love gives us strength.
It’s like the teacher who asked her Primary 1 pupils what they wanted to be when they grew up. The last child to speak was the most shy and timid little boy in the class. He said, “When I get big, I’m going to be a lion tamer in the circus. I’m going to face those animals with my whip and chair and make them leap through hoops of fire and obey all of my commands.” Seeing the disbelieving looks on the faces of his classmates that he could ever act so boldly or bravely, he was quick to reassure them, “Well, of course, I’ll have my mother with me.”
Historically Mothering Sunday was the one day in the year that children, some as young as 10yrs old, who were domestic servants, got a day off work to go back to their mothers and specifically their ‘mother’ church, the main church or cathedral in their area, where they had been baptised, spent their early years attending and where their family still worshipped. It was also known as ‘Refreshment Sunday’ because the fasting rules for Lent were relaxed that day. In the USA they celebrate Mothers’ Day on the second Sunday in May and it has different origins from our Mothering Sunday although the sentiments are similar nowadays.
I’d like to look at 3 mothers in the Bible who I find inspiring and encouraging, who demonstrate something of the ideal mother and they are Mary, mother of Jesus, Hannah, mother of Samuel and Naomi, mother of Mahlon and Kilion but more importantly genealogically, mother-in-law of Ruth who was King David’s great-grandmother.
In the Old Testament book of Ruth we read about Naomi, her husband and 2 sons, from Bethlehem in Judah, who went to live for a while in Moab because of famine in the land. Verse 1 begins with the phrase ‘in the days when the judges ruled’ – and we know from the book of Judges that this was a time of battles, repeated disobedience to God’s covenant and a time marked by the people struggling to learn how to be faithful to God in their new setting of the promised land. This story from Ruth moves from the tribal to the family level, providing examples of faithful obedience, justice and loving mercy. But after moving to Moab, not generally thought off as a sensible destination for an Israelite family, first Naomi’s husband dies then her sons marry Moabite women and within 10 years these men are also dead, she is a Hebrew widow with no male support. Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem as she has heard that the Lord had provided food for his people. She blesses her daughters-in-law, telling them to go back to their families, weeping throughout, her spirit has been crushed beyond the point of prayer and she blames God for what has happened.
But Ruth clings to Naomi, willing to leave family and homeland to go with her mother-in-law, a big commitment as there is no guarantee of financial security. I think that Ruth saw in Naomi something of her God, in her faith and commitment – and it was attractive, she had spent a number of years in Naomi’s company before her husband had died, it had obviously made an impact.
So Ruth said:
“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.
Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
Because of this witness and commitment Ruth is grafted into the line of David and ultimately of Jesus. I would encourage you to read the rest of Ruth’s story, how she continued to look to her mother-in-law Naomi and that both were blessed by this relationship.
“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.
Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
Because of this witness and commitment Ruth is grafted into the line of David and ultimately of Jesus. I would encourage you to read the rest of Ruth’s story, how she continued to look to her mother-in-law Naomi and that both were blessed by this relationship.
Hannah’s story immediately follows the book of Ruth, in 1 Samuel chapter one where we find out about Hannah, one of 2 wives to Elkanah, it was written that ‘the Lord had closed her womb’. It was probably because of this that her husband had taken another wife, this woman had children and she humiliated Hannah, causing her great distress. It must have been difficult for this other wife Penninah as Hannah was the favoured wife despite having no children. Interestingly the husband Elkanah’s reaction to Hannah’s unhappiness is “why are you weeping, why don’t you eat, why are you downhearted, don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” One of the commentaries says that the implications of this narrative as with the Jacob story is that children were seen as a solace or even compensation to a woman whose relationship with her husband was not good enough to fill her emotional needs.
Hannah decided to take action, like Naomi she had a ‘bitterness of soul’ and also like Naomi she knew that God was able, her faith was great. And she was prepared to give up her son to God, ‘no razor’ being used demonstrated a lifelong consecration to God. For Hannah giving birth would also give her the status she desired, in society and in the celebration of the sacrifice. It could be that she was giving up her firstborn in the hope of receiving in return the blessing of continued fertility. And this is what happens, Hannah subsequently has 3 sons and 2 daughters, see Ch 2v21. Eli the priest thinks she is drunk, he was a good age and his eyesight was poor, it tells us this further on in chapters 3 and 4. Hannah defends herself, explaining her motives and receives the blessing that she desires. Chapter 2 begins with Hannah’s prayer or song of praise, it is important for its own sake and also for its foreshadowing of Mary’s song in Luke1:46-55. Hannah stands by her promise to God, giving up her son to the Lord and Samuel becomes a pillar of strength, bridging the developments from the judges to the monarchy and the great Old Testament prophets. A woman of faith, obedience and perseverance.
Finally we look at Mary, mother of Jesus, unmarried at the time of the angel Gabriel’s visit to her, she is told that “the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” And that her son would be the Son of God. And the, I think, amazing reaction of Mary to this news “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” She accepts God’s will. Her relative Elizabeth is also pregnant with John the Baptist to be, Mary hurries to visit her and share her experience. I think this shows God’s understanding of women and in particular of Mary, she would need another woman to talk over this news with, to discuss everything in fine detail and to be encouraged. Elizabeth was a woman in old age so would have the wisdom of life experience, was herself pregnant, just the sort of person to support Mary at this challenging time when the Son of God was developing in her womb.
In the gospel of Luke Mary is considered to be the model of
obedient, contemplative discipleship, according to one commentary, not defined
by her biological motherhood but blessed for her belief, as are all who ‘hear
the word of God and obey it' 11v27-28. The
Magnificat in Ch1 is Mary’s great song of liberation, revolutionary and praising
God. Our reading from Ch2 is full of Old
Testament associations, this baby was acknowledged by the devout Simeon as the
manifestation of the divine action of salvation, for all people, jews and
gentiles. With the blessing there was
also the warning to Mary his mother that ‘a sword will pierce your own soul
too’. She must have been aware of this,
the cost of her discipleship and obedience, and that as a mother she would go
with her son in his ministry and to the end.
Let us thank God for these women and mothers who believed,
were faithful and trusted God to answer prayer.
May we find encouragement and inspiration from their stories.
Now I’d like to sing a chorus from Psalm 84:
‘How lovely is Thy dwelling place O Lord of Hosts to me’"
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Now I’d like to sing a chorus from Psalm 84:
‘How lovely is Thy dwelling place O Lord of Hosts to me’"
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Order of Service:
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