Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3 : 12 - 13

Bible reading : Colossians 3 : 12 – 17

Thought of the week

Mothering Sunday dates back several centuries. As well as a day to give thanks for motherhood and our mothers, it has always been wider, perhaps to reflect how the day is often poignant, complex, hard for some.

There has been the tradition of looking to the role of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Also of Christians returning to the church where they were baptised. It is also a respite in Lent, known as ‘refreshment Sunday’.

At its heart it is an acknowledgement that as people we each need nurturing, encouragement, and others in our life we can be safe with, who will create a place we can be ourselves and can grow, whether that is our own mothers or family, or other significant people in our lives, or the church itself, and of course it is a celebration of God’s abiding and faithful love to us.

Maybe this year Mothering Sunday is a time of looking forward. To celebrate motherhood certainly, but also to acknowledge one another’s needs, with all we’re still going through with the Pandemic. To be careful with one another, and to follow Jesus’ example of compassion, forgiveness and love.

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

Merciful Lord, you know our struggle to serve you :

when sin spoils our lives and overshadows our hearts,

come to our aid and turn us back to you again;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.