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Sermon for Mothering
Sunday - 10 March 2013
2 Corinthians 5.16-21
Luke 15.1-3,11b-32
Bring on the fellas!
It might seem at first a bit strange to choose to feature a reading
on Mothering Sunday that is all about a father and two sons...
it has always intrigued me that Jesus made no mention of the
mother in this tale of the Prodigal Son - but maybe that is because
if Mama had been around there is no way she would have let the
situation develop in the way it did.... we might picture her
bustling around her kitchen muttering about "the silly old
fool" and her beloved if wayward younger son. So maybe it
is because this family has lost the moderating influence of the
female that things go on the way they do? But then I also think
that Jesus was not meaning us to think that this was a story
about an actual family of his acquaintance... I think it is symbolic
of lots of things - not least about our relationship to God our
Father.
But apart from - sometimes - keeping the peace and keeping a
sense of proportion in family relationships, I think it may be
true to say that it is often mothers in a family who hold in
mind all the significant dates. Am I right? How many of the men
here this morning will admit that they rely on their wives/partners
to tell them when the children's birthdays are coming up; even
when their own parents' birthdays or anniversaries are due? I
am sorry if I am speaking in stereotypes - but in my experience
that is how it is in many families. Mums keep the corporate memory
for a family and probably also keep track through the week of
everyone's hectic diaries; knowing what each child will need
for school the next day; what the man of the house needs for
a special meeting or to attend the gym. Not to mention what day
the bins go out and when the various household bills are due.
And if I am wrong and in your household it is the men who remember
all the minutiae of daily living, then I apologise and congratulate
you!
But of course, as you will have heard often on Mothering Sunday,
today is not really about Mums - or at least not just about mums.
Its origins lie in the celebration once a year of going back
to one's mother church - the church in the community where you
grew up. The church that nurtured you in your faith... Which
means that by rights I should be worshipping in St Andrew's in
Ilford this morning!
But I am not, I am here - and with you, I would like to think
about the role of Mother church in sustaining the life of the
church family.
Well for a start of course the church does remind us of significant
dates - including a very special birthday - the birthday of Jesus
- 25th December.
But then there are all the other significant dates - those that
we call saints days through the year. We celebrate those as they
arise. And there are the other significant anniversaries - Easter,
Ascension, Pentecost and others... we rely on Mother Church to
mark them - sometimes we forget and then the church may remind
us unexpectedly!
And week by week the church is relied on to remember to nourish
us as we meet for our family meal of communion together; to wash
and cleanse us when we come to her for baptism; to console and
care for us when we mourn our dead; to celebrate with us when
we fall in love and want to marry.
Now, it has to be said that the biblical view of families and
family life is remarkably unsentimental and realistic. You will
find little in the way of hearts and flowers - and a lot involving
pain and disruption - but that too is true of many families.
Parenting is jolly difficult and while there are certainly moments
of joy and delight, these do have to be set against the times
of anguish and despair. But the point is that the family is a
place where we can acknowledge our darker selves and bring our
pain ... just as the church is a place where we also acknowledge
that not everything is wonderful the whole time - where we can
even come and express our anger and hurt to God -( and if you
doubt me, just look at the psalms some time!) But where we are
safe in the knowledge that - whatever is said or done, we know
we are loved and held and forgiven.
So this mothering Sunday, I would like to leave you with some
questions to ponder and reflect on in the week ahead ...
The Bible helps us to be honest about the challenges facing parents
and children, and those longing to be parents. Do we - as individuals
and as a church - help people to be honest about these challenges
- or do we encourage people to keep up appearances, and to hide
their difficulties behind masks? How can we support one another,
honestly and generously, in the challenge and joy of family life?
In our Gospel reading today we see what happens when resources
are wasted and people rush to judge and stigmatise. How do we
nurture faithful, costly obedience to God's call - and resist
being judgemental?
The story of the Holy Family
embraces, and draws our attention to, the plight of refugees
and those living with persecution and violence in our own day.
How do we discern, and serve, Christ in those children and parents
who live through persecution and exile today?
If we are to be 'Mother Church' in our community, we are called
to be a community of nurture and mutual care. Jesus teaches us
that the community of his disciples needs to acknowledge a responsibility
for one another, whether or not we have ties of biological kinship.
What (perhaps small) step can our church take this Lent to be
a community which nurtures those who lack security and love -
whatever their age and background?
In a few weeks the PCC and I will be re-considering our Mission
Action Plan and deciding on our priorities for the year ahead
- where the energy of our church family will be focused ....
I would be really interested to know your thoughts and answers
to any of the above questions ... please let me know!
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