The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed … and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’      Luke 2 : 33 – 35

This week’s reading : Luke 2 : 22 – 35

Thought for the week

Today is Mothering Sunday. Parenthood brings so many joys. Yet our reading from Luke’s Gospel reminds us the experience of being a parent, of caring, nurturing, journeying with and ultimately allowing to let go of another human being also involves challenges, vulnerability, sometimes even pain.

The Psalms especially tell us the Lord as our heavenly parent finds joy in us. (Ps 18 : 19). Yet the Bible also tells us that relationship with the Lord, His ultimate commitment and love, also involves sacrifice from the Lord, especially when we choose our own way.

Today we can give thanks for motherhood across the world, and also pray for those mothers who are forced to worry for their children, suffer with them and even grieve for them.

Simeon in the temple took Jesus in his arms, knowing this was the light of the Lord come into our world. Yet Simeon’s blessing was for the whole family, and he foretold to Mary the sword that would pierce her heart, looking to Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. We give thanks for motherhood today. We also praise the Lord as our heavenly parent who bore both joy and pain in the Lord’s limitless love for us in Jesus.

Rev Paul

Prayer for today

God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Amen

God of love, passionate and strong, tender and careful: watch over us and hold us all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen