The rector writes
Dear sisters and brothers,
This Sunday we reach the midpoint of Lent as we celebrate Mothering Sunday, also known
as Laetare Sunday, 'to rejoice'. This comes from the traditional introit used at the
beginning of the Eucharist on this day, 'Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful,
all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.' It is a day when
we can lighten our Lenten fast, as demonstrated in the tradition of clergy wearing rose vestments.
This is a day when we celebrate not just our earthy mothers, but also all who have
'mothered' us in our lives, who have natured and helped us over the years.
Primarily however we celebrate our divine mother, Mother Church and Mother God. It is
why there is the historic tradition of returning to the family Church, where you were
baptised and raised, to give thanks for the community who helped to make you who you
are today.
Sometimes we can struggle to see God as 'mother', despite the motherly imagery we can
find in Scripture, such as Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem, 'How often have I desired to
gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were
not willing!' (Matthew 23.37) This Sunday is when we can see God as mother, who gathers
us under her wings, and gives us wisdom.
Later on the great fourteenth century mystic, Julian of Norwich, the earliest known female
writer in English, wrote of 'Mother Jesus', through whom Creation was called into being,
and who feeds us of himself, out of the abundance of love.
The Love in which we find our beginning, the Love which mothers us and nourishes us,
who supports us for the journey ahead, towards the Love which has no end.
With all blessings,
Fr Edward
