The Flyfords Family

There is an old Jewish saying:   God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.

 Mothering Sunday is rich in tradition.

The themes of Mother Church, Mother Earth, Mother of the Gods - our human mothers have all been part of the celebration of ‘Mothering Sunday’. In Roman times, great festivals were held every Spring to honour Cybele, Mother of all the Gods.  Other pagan festivals in honour of Mother Earth were also celebrated.  With the arrival of Christianity, the festival became one of honoring Mother Church.

During the Middle Ages, young people apprenticed to craftsmen or working as ‘live-in’ servants were allowed only one holiday a year on which to visit their families - which is how ‘Mothering Sunday’ got its name.  This special day became a day of family rejoicing, and the Lenten fast was broken.  In some places the day was called Simnel Day, because of the sweet cakes called simnel cakes traditionally eaten on that day.

I wonder who is our role model for this special day?

For many, as we reflect on Mothering Sunday, we see our mums as that role model. That is why most of us take this opportunity to give thanks for our mums,for the unconditional love which they have given us. They help us to appreciate that this love comes from God. However, perhaps our ultimate role model of motherhood is Mary, mother of Jesus. She is a iconic figure model who speaks to all of us in a very powerful and down to earth way.

 Her story is quite astonishing. She found favor with God as teenager, conceived by the Holy Spirit, as a virgin and without her consent. She risked everything to bring her son into a war - torn world. She became an outcast in her society. She gave her whole life to looking after Jesus on his journey even when strayed away as a boy. She never judged him and loved him to the end and his new life. She lived to serve others. As Christians say , ‘blessed is she among women and blessed is the fruit of her womb’.

 Just for you we have arranged a special celebration of Mothering Sunday on 14 March at our Messy church at 1100 at Flyford Flavell First school.