VICAR

Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that You are well and enjoying the recent spell of sunshine We have been blessed with.

This week I would like to celebrate Mothering Sunday with You. In the UK, Mother’s Day is connected to Easter, so like this holiday, the date of Mother’s Day changes every year as Easter’s date changes. Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday originated as a religious celebration that takes place on the fourth Sunday of Lent. During the Middle Ages, the custom developed of allowing people who had moved away from where they grew up to come back to visit their home or ‘mother’ churches, and their mothers, on the fourth Sunday of the Christian festival of Lent.

The Bible has a lot to say about the role and traits of mothers and familial love:

Proverbs 31:31: “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Psalm 139:13-14: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Luke 2:51: “And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.”

Please remember to call Your Mother this day and to thank her for being there. If she has already passed then the prayer below is suitable either which way. God Bless You all this Mothering Sunday. Have an excellent week to come.

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)