The fourth Sunday of Lent was traditionally seen as an oasis in the middle of Lent. It was known as Refreshment Sunday, at least since the 16th century. But you never see it billed as that on church noticeboards. Rather, it is known as Mothering Sunday, unless you buy in completely to the secular idea that it is Mother’s Day. It’s only in England that this happens; in other countries Mother’s Day is another day altogether.

But in the Church of England, we quite like a “both…and.. “, rather than an “either….or..”. So for us Mothering Sunday carries several connected meanings.

Yes, it is a kind of little “break” in the middle of Lent, a note of celebration in a time of self-discipline. We might even celebrate it with the traditional simnel cake.

It is also a time for celebrating Mother Church. The earlier custom was that people away from home (for example, in service) would return to their “mother church”, the parish church where they came from, on that day. It is a reminder that Church is the place where we experience the love of God like that of a mother; caring for us, sustaining, nourishing , supporting. God our Creator is neither male nor female in the human sense, but embodies what we consider the qualities of both. So the Church also displays God’s maternal qualities.

So in England, we thought it natural in more recent times to couple all that with an invitation to celebrate the love and care of our own mothers on this particular day. A mother experiences and understands in a very special way the idea of love and sacrifice, through giving birth, nurturing and caring for growing children. Motherhood is a vocation and God gives special gifts of grace to those who respond to that call.

As well as praising God for the gift of Mother Church and our Mother Mary, let us praise him once again for our mothers, whether living or departed. And let us pray for all mothers as they face the challenges of their important role.

Michael Kingston