Sermon – Behold your mother

In Memory of My Mother, 1969 - Minas Avetisyan (Armenia)
Image of the artists parents at the foot of the cross

A sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist at St George’s Bloomsbury on Sunday 27th March 2022 and St Stephen Walbrook on Thursday 30th March 2022 (Year C, Mothering Sunday) based on readings from Exodus 2.10-10 and John 19.25b-27.

Sermon in a nutshell

Today the church marks Mothering Sunday. The gospel reading takes us to the foot of the cross where Jesus brings together his mother Mary and his Beloved Disciple, introducing them to each other as mother and son; affirming our understanding of ‘Mothering’ as transcending the bounds of biology. Jesus draws the whole human family to himself. His words remind us that mothering is not a one way relationship - or even a two way one; our relationships are sanctified and made complete through our relationship with Him. Standing in the shadow of the cross we see that mothering also involves the pain of letting go but the eternal presence of Christ our Mother brings reconciliation and peace. Today we give thanks for all who mother us.

Start:Stop-Friendship

Icon of Christ and Abba Mena

Thank you for joining us for Start:Stop. This reflection will last around ten minutes and you are welcome to come and go as your schedule dictates. Today we are reflecting on the theme of friendship. We begin with a short bible reading which can be found on page 85 of the Old Testament.