M O T H E R I N G  S U N D A Y

On Sunday we are celebrating Mothering Sunday which falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, this having been decreed in the 17th century, when most people went to Church. People would walk to Church, often to the one where they had been baptised, and some would carry flags and banners. Girls in domestic service would be given time off by their employers, to visit their mothers, and some would bake simnel cakes as presents.

In the United States President Woodrow Wilson passed an Act of Congress in May 1914, that the 2nd Sunday in May would be known as Mother’s Day, for the public expression of love and reverence for mothers. This term has been claimed in the United Kingdom, rather than our understanding which emphasises the religious significance.

Those of us who have  fond memories of our mothers, however many years have passed since we were in their arms; will not forget as we acknowledge the love for our mothers, and all they meant to us. To bear a child is a costly, and sometimes very painful act, calling for endurance sometimes beyond the mother herself. Mothering Sunday calls on us to remember it is the giving of oneself.

The Bible states, ‘in the beginning God made man, and thensaid, it is not good for man to be alone, I will make a ‘helper’ for him.  God saw that man needed a companion, so God made a woman and brought her to the man, and gave woman as man’s helper, someone who can be at man’s side, who will give life more meaning, pleasure and support; someone to love and cherish. This was God’s most precious gift to men.

God has now made two people, man and woman, Adam and Eve.  Both would be equal, no superiority, but have different bodies and characters. Women would have a caring nature.

.We must accept that God knows best, and when he wanted man to have a companion He made a woman as the perfect answer, someone who could complement man in every way, physically and mentally in a way other men could not, and men throughout the ages have appreciated and recognised this. God wanted to supply what was lacking in man’s life, and together they could have children and create the ideal family. God planned the human heart to love, marry and have children.

The foundation for every home is a father and mother, and the breakdown of family life  is reflected in the breakdown of the nation’s morality. It is now unrealistic to expect marriage to be for life, but rather until we get fed up with each other.

Motherhood is a special privilege, and a sacred duty. Abraham Lincoln, the great American President, once remarked, that no nation is greater than its mothers, for they are the makers of men. The Rabbis have a saying, ‘God can’t be everywhere, so He made mothers.’

The Bible is full of stories of prominent mothers,
Jochebed the mother of Moses, who let an Egyptian princess bring up Moses rather than have him killed; and this morning I just want to look at the women who, are featured in our Bibles.

Eve who was the first mother; Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth, all who waited for a miracle. Hagar driven away and disowned.  Rebecca had to raise her children in another country. Rachel wept for her children, Naomi and Ruth who rose above all the trials of life, and turned hard situations into good. Lois  and Eunice, the grandmother and mother of Timothy , ready to share the love of Christ with their children.

In an Old Testament reading we have the story of Hannah, who hurt deeply because she desperately wanted to be a mother, and in her agony she cried out to God. He answered Hannah’s prayer, and she literally leant her son back to God, and she made a commitment. Hannah trusted God, and taught Samuel to worship God, rejoicing in the Lord and His salvation. We dearly need mothers to day to teach their children to worship God, preferably by bringing them to Church.

 Our famous mother from the Bible is of course Mary, a young Jewish girl, from whom the emancipation of women began when there appeared to Mary a vision from heaven, and she heard the angel’s annunciation of the news, that of all the women on earth, she was to be the mother of our Lord, the one woman ever to wear entwined, the red rose of maternity with the white rose of virginity.

Mary was ready and willing to be looked down upon by all who knew her, for it was shameful for an unmarried woman to have a child in those religious times. Jesus became a baby, and grew up and accorded women with a new dignity so that women like Mary have been loved and respected.

In the Christian context we remember Mary and how our Lord honoured motherhood, showing concern for His mother even when in agony on the Cross.

God intended them to be mothers, and motherhood to be of the highest calling, and endowed them with special gifts. It took the 20th century, in the so called name of progress and equality to pull women down to make them like men, and some to be of the coarsest of men.

An article in a newspaper once said, that women were leaving Christianity for Islam, because of the greater moral code. Whilst recognising and admiring, the strict Islamic moral code, it is also a fact that no religion has greater respect for women than Christianity;  the Christian code is as moral as any, it is just Christians do not adopt it.

A mother's love is special and unique, and God gave woman a special and caring nature for His purpose. Today we have the ridiculous and offensive suggestion, that children can be raised by two men after some woman, known or unknown, has provided the child by some means.

 An American psychologist stated, a child will never come to full development psychologically, without a mother in the home. A family is only a true family with man, woman and child(ren) To-day, it is the target for left-wing and other activists, for if the family is destroyed, their philosophies and ideologies can be adopted.

A mother’s presence in the home is essential, and there has never been a more urgent time, when good mothers are needed. I have worked in every social class of society, but have never known a Jewish child get involved in anti-social behaviour or criminal activities. I once asked a Rabbi why he thought this was so, and he told me it was due to the control the Jewish mama has over her family. I am sure Christian mothers have control over their families, but not to the extent of Jewish mamas sadly.

When my two sons were growing up, my then occupation required me to be away from the home for many long hours, and so much care fell upon my wife. It is to her credit, that they both entered the Christian ministry, after being youth leaders at their local Church.  Today they are successful Vicars at Churches of their own, where they have been a powerful influence in the Churches they have served.

Spiritual matters should be of concern to mothers. Promises are made at baptism services that children will be brought up in the fellowship of the Church, although few have ever any intention of keeping the promises made.

Homes are falling apart, and the breakdown of family life is reflected in the breakdown of the nation’s morality. Rather than say we stay together until death do us part, it is now until we get fed up with each other, and never mind the consequences as long as we are happy in someone else’s arms. People even enter into marriage anticipating divorce. It doesn’t help when silly feminist politicians advocate women going out to work, or when this un-family friendly government, favors unmarried people in the tax system.

We need women who will lead their families back to more old style morality, decency and purity. Children are being brought up without any religious knowledge, knowing nothing about Jesus or Biblical characters, even in the homes of whatever class of home.

An idealism prevails as to how children should behave, but it is often in modern phraseology, ‘cool’ for a child to be sexually aware. Explicit sex education is readily given, but a distinct aversion to Christian teaching. Schools play little part in educating children in religion or conduct, unless the school is a private one.

This country so much needs young women, who will once again teach their children the morality of yesteryear, they have an enormous responsibility. Many mothers will go to endless lengths to secure a good school for the children, and that is to be applauded, but an academic education needs to be supplemented with ethical and moral standards, especially when so much pressure is put upon them to act as they see fit.

The modern child is so often brought up in decent comfortable home, but a thoroughly non-religious one. Parents have some vague idealism as to what they should know, but do not know how to give it. If children are being brought up without a Christian background, we are to have a nation of pagans. Schools in the State system, are in so many places staffed by teachers who have no faith, and certainly no interest in teaching, even if they were able to do so.

Mothers continue to care and worry for their children even when they reach adulthood, and stand by them no matter what they do, and even when that is not deserved.

 Salome the mother of James and John sought favor for them from Jesus, to whom she prayed that, Jesus would give them places near Him in Paradise,  However wrong she might have been, she was showing her concern for her sons.

 The Bible calls on older women who have an honored place in society, to play a major part in guiding younger women in the bringing up of children from their years of experience. We must have concern for women bringing up children, in a world where all moral values are being eroded. Theirs is a big responsibility, especially when the nation’s broadcasting system gives out such foul talk and explicit scenes, that cause weaker minds to think that is the natural way of life.

Sometimes, women are asked on television or radio, what their occupation is, and often the reply comes, ‘only a housewife and mother’. There is nothing only; such is an honorable occupation.

At this point, we ought to remember all those women who do not have children, and may be feeling distress today when presents of chocolates and etc, are being passed. Some have chosen not to be mothers, rather preferring to follow a career and contribute much to society. Other women through physical or medical reasons, cannot be mothers, and our prayers must be for them. We also grieve for mothers who have lost a child. Whilst we may cherish memories of our mothers, some will not have such pleasant thoughts.

May God bless all mothers, and those longing to be mothers.

 

We Praise God for all His gifts and pray He be ever Glorified.

 

Prayer

Almighty and loving God, we give thanks for all mothers, and especially those who have been unable to have a child for whatever reason.

 We pray as we grieve for those mothers who have lost their children and we realize the pain and suffering they bear.  For those mothers whose children have not responded to the love offered them, and those who live far away.

 We thank you LORD for giving us mothers, for the love and care you gave in their nature, and we acknowledge our gratitude for all they bore for our sakes.

 May your Church have eyes to see and ears to hear the needs of mothers in this troubled world.  We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen