Let us pray:

Merciful God, whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth and on the cross drew the whole human family to Himself; strengthen us in our daily lives that in joy and sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

The fourth Sunday in Lent is known as Mothering Sunday. Other names attributed to this day include Mid-Lent Sunday, Refreshment Sunday, Reflection Sunday, and Christian Education Sunday. Today marks three weeks before Easter Day.

Mothering Sunday was observed as a day when people would visit their “mother” church or the church they were baptized in. On most Sundays in England, churchgoers would worship at their nearest parish or daughter church. Centuries ago, it was considered important for people to return to their home or mother church once a year. So, each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their mother church – the main church or cathedral of the area.

Inevitably the return to the mother church became an occasion for family reunions when children working away returned home. It was quite common in those days for children to leave home for work once they were ten years old.

The church also realized that the people needed a break from sorrow. Mothering Sunday was considered a day of relaxation from the everyday Lenten rigours, a day of hope with Easter at last within sight.

Weddings which were banned during Lent could be performed on this day. And the colour Rose was used as it is a lighter shade of the colour, Violet.

In our Diocese, Mothering Sunday weekend is a big thing. On the Saturday before, children would gather for a day of combined Sunday School, and then on Sunday afternoon, there would be a procession of witness in the street and a special service at the Mother Church for all to worship together.

May God bless you all and Happy Mothering Sunday!