Mother’s Day

May 13, 2012

I John 5: 1-6. and John 15:9-17

A father and his four-year-old daughter were talking about marriage. She was a typical four-year-old girl—cute, inquisitive, and smart. When she seemed a bit confused, clearing having trouble grasping the concept of marriage, her father decided to use some visuals to help explain the ‘idea’ of marriage. He found he and his wife’s wedding album, and pointed out, page after page, of what took place at the wedding. There were pictures of the bride arriving at the church, her walking down the aisle, the wedding ceremony, the recessional, the reception, etc. "Now do you understand?" he asked.  "I think so," she said, "is that when mommy came to work for us?" Happy Mother’s Day!

Let me share, once again, a few of the things OUR Mothers teach US: 

They teach us LOGIC...

"If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me." 

They teach us TO THINK AHEAD...

"If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job!"

They teach us ESP...

"Put your sweater on; don't you think that I know when you're cold?" 

They teach us to BECOME AN ADULT...

"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up. .

They teach us about GENETICS...

"You are just like your father!" 

They teach us about our ROOTS...

"Close that door! Do you think you were born in a barn?" 

They teach us about the WISDOM of AGE...

"When you get to be my age, you will understand." 

They teach us about ANTICIPATION...

"Wait until we get it when we get home."   

And, Mothers teach us - JUSTICE...

"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like YOU!

The common theme of today’s scripture is that “we are to love one another.”  The Hebrew word that probably best describes God’s love for us is Hesed, God’s loving kindness--the love that is unconditional and makes no distinctions.  Easter faith presents this kind of love that overcomes the evil of this world in which even death will have no dominion. We are all called to be a witness to such love in our daily dealing with each other.

This theme of love is appropriate for Mother’s Day, when the importance of a mother’s unconditional love for her children is recognized and celebrated. One way we can honor mothers would be for us, ourselves, to practice ‘hesed’ toward all of their children, particularly those who have been rejected by the Church because of their ‘sin.’ It is critical, I think, that we find ways to offer God’s peace and love to all children, everywhere-and thus honor all mothers.

To My Mother… by Wendell Berry       (From "Entries" copyright 1994, Wendell Berry)

I was your rebellious (child),

do you remember?  Sometimes

I wonder if you do remember,

so complete has your forgiveness been.

So complete has your forgiveness been

I wonder sometimes if it did not

precede my wrong, and I erred,

safe found, within your love,

prepared ahead of me, the way home,

or my bed at night, so that almost

I should forgive you, who perhaps

foresaw the worst that I might do,

and forgave before I could act,

causing me to smile now, looking back,

to see how paltry was my worst,

compared to your forgiveness of it

already given.  And this, then,

is the vision of the Heaven of which

we have heard, where those who love

each other have forgiven each other,

where, for that, the leaves are green,

the light a music in the air,

and all is unentangled,

and all is undismayed.

Many women, who are not mothers themselves, are blessed with having nurtured people, young and old and helped them find their path. They have loved unconditionally. Such women may never quite know their full impact upon others, or how their fingerprints have affected the shaping of other people’s lives. Look at your fingerprints, and think about how you have been molded into who you are today and those who have influenced your life.

(short pause)

Now look at your thumbs and think about the people you have shaped (anyway, those you know about.

(short pause)

Ask God every day to help you remember that you impact every person you encounter, and to help you see the many opportunities you have to "restore their soul" with a kind word, an accepting smile, and unconditional love. Remember that you will leave thumbprints and think about the kind you want to be remembered for!

Let us pray:

Gracious God, your love last forever. We put our faith and our hope in you. Today, throughout our country, mothers are being remembered and celebrated; families are being honored and recognized.  Our prayer is for the joys and sorrows this day brings. May we take time to appreciate the gifts and graces we have received from our mothers. May we find comfort in our memories of their love for us. We give thanks, Lord, for mothers who gave us birth, who love us no matter what, who support us in everyway,

And, we join all mothers everywhere in praying for their children; may their children be the joy and blessing they hope for.  May they find comfort for their soul and peace and hope for their life. Hear our prayers this day, O God, and give to us such assurance of your love that your love may spill forth from us into the lives of others.  Amen.