Mothering Sunday

Exodus 2:1-10 Luke 2:33-35

Today, Mothering Sunday, most children give acknowledgement to the part that a mother played in their life. From the day of their birth to sometime in later years a mother figure played a large part in their formation. From changing nappies to packing them off to school, from making sure that they are presentable for their first job interview to waving goodbye to them on their honeymoon, mothers were in the background making sure that all was well. Mothers have played a major part in our development and today we have another opportunity to hold them before God.

This morning in the Old Testament reading from Exodus the story of Moses and his early years allows us to see a mother at work. At the time of his birth there was a law that all male children should be cast into the river Nile. He was born into an unfriendly world and to a powerful nation. But he was of a foreign oppressed race during a time when all babies were under a royal death sentence. There was, however, something in his favour. He was the child of believing parents.

In addition we read that he was a fine baby. Fanciful Jewish legend say that at his birth his face was so beautiful that the room was filled with light equal to the sun and moon combined. The legend continues that he walked and talked when he was a day old and that he was eating solid food from birth. Regardless of what the legend may say, his parents obviously recognised the baby as special. His mother cared for him for three months but by then it was becoming increasingly more difficult to hide his presence from the authorities.

We now read of how he was cast adrift in a basket in the river. This was done out of faith in God. They were not afraid of the king’s command. In one way the child’s parents were doing exactly what the Pharaoh said, they put him in the river, but here in a waterproof basket. Here is a great example of trusting the child’s welfare and future to God alone. It is very reminiscent of how Noah trusted in God and was cast on the waters of the flood. But here the mother was giving something precious, her child, and trusting that God would take care of the child and, perhaps, give it back to her. And so the story goes on with the child being found and given back to his mother to nurse him.

In this story of Moses we see how God had all this beautifully planned. Planned for the deliverance of Moses and eventually for the people of Israel too. God skilfully guided the parents of Moses, the currents of the Nile, and the heart of Pharaoh’s daughter to further His plan and purpose.

Today we see something similar happening. Almost daily, in the news, we hear or read of migrants crossing the English Channel, in the face of great danger and to an uncertain future. Some are whole families attempting to flee the difficulties, dangers and upheavals taking place in their homelands. But many are youngsters, youths, and young men. Back in the land from where they are fleeing, desperately seeking a better future, hoping to raise money to send back home, I am sure that there are family members sadly waving goodbye to their child. A mother, who has struggled to bring up a child and who now has to wave them off to uncertainty. What will become of their offspring? Will they survive the journey? Will they be accepted or rejected, passed on to another country?

For many, these stories of uncertainty and worry will not be the case. Our homes are stable, full of warmth and stability. Our home is managed by a caring and loving mother. Someone who looks after us as we go through life, tending our bumps and grazes, patching up all sorts of wounds, both physical and mental. The role of the mother figure does not change through history or by location.

In the case of Moses history tells us how the future panned out. It was in these early years that Moses learnt of the ‘God of the fathers’. He realised that the Hebrews were his fellow countrymen.

And so, in the story of Moses, and in the story that the migrants could tell, we can uncover the role of the mother, what motherhood means.

In so doing we can give grateful thanks to God.

Collect for Mothering Sunday

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,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.