40 Acts of Lent: Day 22 - Mother's Day Origins

Act twenty two - Mother's Day Origins by Peter Lynas
Surprisingly, Mother's Day started off as something completely unrelated to mums. If you trace it back, Mothering Sunday was originally the one day in the year when house servants were allowed to return home to their 'mother' church, and spend time with their own community. So on Mother's Day this year, let's take time to be generous to people we've overlooked in our community.

"Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her. He said to his mother, 

'Woman, here is your son.' Then to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' 

From that moment the disciple accepted her as his own mother."

                                                                                                    John 19:26–27 (The Message Bible)
     
'I'm not a mum' was my immediate thought when I was asked to write a reflection for Mother's Day. But of course you don't get a mum to write on the day we celebrate mums. I do however have a mum, I'm married to a mum and I am Dad to a couple of mums in the making – in about 20 years. Mums have shaped my life and I am so thankful for them.

I'm one of three boys and though we weren't particularly troublesome my mum spent her fair share of time at various sporting events, at A&E and possibly at the odd police interview – for my brothers obviously. No wonder she had a wooden spoon – though I couldn't possibly say what for!

But Mother's Day can also be tough for those who, for all sorts of reasons, won't be able to celebrate or be celebrated. That's when Jesus' words really kick in. He isn't abolishing or undermining family as we know it, but he is enlarging our understanding – telling John to look after his mum as if she were his own and telling his mum that John was her new son.

We tend to think of Mother's Day as being exclusively for mums but Mothering Sunday has roots that spread much wider. It was the one day in the year when house servants were allowed to return home to their 'mother' church; it's a day to re-establish connections and honour the people and communities that nurtured us.

So on Mother's Day this year, let's take up Jesus' challenge to honour, celebrate and embrace all the mum figures in our community, whether they be biological, step- or spiritual mums.

Choose how to complete this act...
GREEN OPTION:
Let's acknowledge the mothers in our lives, but why not push the boat out more than usual this weekend? No more garage forecourt flowers or hastily scribbled cards. But, let's also be more mindful of those near us who might be overlooked today. Those who'll find this weekend hard for a variety of reasons.

YELLOW OPTION:
Working this weekend, leading a team, or know tired people serving at church? Could you step in and cover them so they can go home early to spend time with their families?

RED OPTION:
Plan a lunch for tomorrow for more than just your own family. Invite your church family. Make a plan with others, so that everyone you know (especially those on the margins) is looked after today – whatever their family circumstances.