Thoughts from The Vicarage with Mothering Sunday, chickens and Palms.
Greetings!
How Many Sundays to Easter … ? That’s right – but first The Lambourn Valley Benefice will be marking Mothering Sunday in each church this Sunday. We then look ahead to Palm Sunday, Holy week, Good Friday all culminating in the rejoicing of Easter Sunday.
Mothering Sunday March 10th is a day to celebrate the love and care of all who have a mothering role and recall God’s great love for each one of us. It’s a day when we give thanks for our own Mothers, for those who mothered us, for those who birthed us, for those who have cared for us as Mary cared for her son Jesus. We’ll hear of stories of a mother’s love and there will be flowers! Use the one here to give to someone you love. Write a blessing or other message on the flower, cut it out, fold in the petals, secure it with a paper clip and give it to the one who cares for you as a Mother.
For some Mothering Sunday may be challenging for a whole variety of reasons. This morning with the Reception children we remembered that Jesus welcomes us to shelter under his wings as a mother hen shelters her chicks, that the church can be like a place of mothering for each of us and that we remember Mary, the mother of Jesus. Finally, we remembered all the people who are like mummies to us … men like Jesus and women too. This prayer from St Anselm came to mind;
Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you;
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness;
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead,
your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us;
in your love and tenderness remake us.
In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness,
for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.
Anselm (1109)
And looking ahead, Palm Sunday March 24th is when we receive Palm crosses and hear the story of how Jesus came into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey a few days before his death. The crowds waved palms and cheered him as a king. We will act this out walking into church with palms and songs of welcome to Jesus – come and join in! School are even welcoming Norman the donkey to help tell the story!
And finally, a prayer reminding us of God’s faithfulness throughout time … a theme from our Lenten groups has been joining in with God who is moving always within us, spiritually and through time.
God of our ancestors,
you have moved in generations past,
and continue to move us in the present into your glorious future.
Give us faith to trust you in the uncertainties of life.
Amen.
God bless
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice