For
centuries, Mothering Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, has been the
opportunity to remember mothers. In a bygone age, it was the one Sunday when
servant girls were allowed to go to visit their mothers. Whether or not we have
all been mothers, we have all had mothers and in the majority of cases, the
memory is a happy one.
In
our service yesterday, the children took posies of daffodils to their mothers
and then to all the other ladies in church.
The
service coincided with the third of our series of sermons on the Creed, in this
case “We believe in the Holy Spirit.” We noted that not only is the Hebrew word
for the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament (ruach) feminine, but also that her role
in caring and encouraging Christians is parallel to that of a mother.
The
service concluded with Holy Communion, with opportunity for prayer for healing;
healing of all sorts being another role of the Holy Spirit.
