Scripture: ‘but now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ; in His flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, the hostility between us. (Ephesians 2.13-14)Reflection:It has been said that religion ‘divides’ people, and perhaps man’s ‘spin’ on religion IS divisive - but the message of truth that Jesus brought was one of inclusiveness and equality for all. On this Mothering Sunday when we remember the person who brought us into the world, perhaps we should also remember that this shared experience, the birth of a human baby into the world God created, is one that unites ALL of us in our humanity. We share our ‘beginning’ with each other as human beings and our race, gender or religion cannot change that. He has broken down the dividing wall, the hostility between us - it is up to us to follow His example. Vicki Young
Scripture:‘Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’’ (John 4.13-14)Reflection:It’s impossible to exaggerate how important water is for us: it’s vital. The woman Jesus was speaking with had the toil of walking to a well to draw it up. It was not the only or greatest hardship in her life – she was on her sixth ‘husband’. What Jesus said he could give her sounds weird, but he had already, just by speaking with her, broken a social taboo between religions and sexes and shown her a human (or divine) warmth, respect and acceptance that had been missing. She was overjoyed.Everyone needs water, and everyone needs that sort of acceptance. David Harmsworth
