23^rd May 2014

Rev Dr Max Champion at St John's UCA Mt Waverley Sunday 11 May 2014

Lessons - Leviticus 19:1-4; Acts 16:11-15; Mark 3:31-35

'God said: "You shall honour your mother and father."' (Leviticus
19:3a) 'Jesus said: "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the
word of God and do it."' (Luke 8:21)

Mothers' Day presents us with conflicting images. On one hand, it recognises the work of mothers in the home. Television advertisements show happy, confident mums cheerfully seeing to their kids' health and happiness. On the other hand, 'stay at home' mums are thought to be inferior to 'working mothers'. The image of mother as 'home-maker' has been replaced by the 'super mum' who combines child-rearing, business acumen and social responsibility. Once idealised as the embodiment of what it means to nurture the most vulnerable life, mothers-to-be are often praised for choosing not to bear their unborn children.

Mothers' Day is ambiguous in other ways too. It is an opportunity to be grateful for the sacrifices made and love shown by mothers in many ways.
But it is also a time of sadness for children who do not or did not know maternal warmth or are or were abused, abandoned or manipulated, or whose mothers were killed by violent partners. Mothers, too, experience grief at the loss of children from illness, accident, adoption or the brutality of their fathers or others. The sentiment that often accompanies this day (and is exploited for profit) must not hide the suffering that many mothers and children do or have experienced. As we are reminded almost daily in the media, domestic violence and child abuse are terrible, ever- present realities. Other women, for various reasons, experience the pain of being unable to bear children.

In view of the complexity and ambiguity of Mothers' Day, Scripture can save us from unrealistic adulation or strident criticism of our mothers.

It enables us to be wary of idealising mothers either as home-makers or working mums. It encourages us to support them in bearing children and bringing them up in security and love. It makes us realise that they play a vital role in passing on the faith to their children and speaking out against unjust treatment of children and women, including the unborn, the disabled, the abused and refugees.

No doubt Biblical texts have been misused to keep mothers barefoot, pregnant and dependent on their husbands. But the amazing thing is that, in the patriarchal culture shared by Jews and Christians, mothers are given a special dignity and responsibility within the community of faith.

Mothers play a vital role in the family and the family of faith. We are commanded to 'honour our mothers and fathers' (Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:1-4; Deuteronomy 5:16; Mark 7:10). In one text, failure to do so is punishable by death! In another, obedience will result in 'our days being long and things going well for us'.

Eve is the crown of creation and the 'mother of all the living' (Genesis 3:20). Sarah, unexpectedly, is the mother of Israel. God's love for Israel is likened to a mother who comforts her children and enables them to flourish (Isaiah 66:13).

Mary, the mother of Jesus, shares her joy with Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist (Luke). Mary and other mothers are among the women who weep at the cross (John & Mark). They are present at the empty tomb (Mark 16:1). Lydia, a mother baptised by Paul with her household, is important, not simply for being a mother, but for bringing her family to faith and nurturing a fledgling house-church (Acts 16:11ff).

Of all mothers, Mary is 'the mother' who should evoke our deepest affection on Mothers' Day! As the mother of Jesus she is the most notable mother in the human story. She has a special place as the key human figure in the Church's confession of Christ who, for our sake, was 'born and became incarnate of the Virgin Mary'.

In the fifth Century, at the Council of Chalcedon (451), the Church drew out the implications of this claim by saying that Mary, Jesus' mother, was the 'Mother of God' or 'God bearer' according to his humanity. No higher honour could be given to a mother. From her womb comes the One who uniquely embodied the presence of God with us and the fullness of humanity that is God's will for us.

Mary's importance as the 'Mother of God' must not lead towards idolatry, as some Roman Catholic and Orthodox friends are apt to do. She does not fully understand her son's mission (Luke 2:41ff)! She should not be appealed to as 'Holy Mother o' God' to explain anything unusual (as done in the Irish television series Ballykissangel). Nor should her motherly qualities be idealised, as some Protestants are apt to do. The true miracle about 'Mother Mary' is that God's saving grace has come to birth in her womb. She is to be honoured as mother of the incarnate Son of God!

It is a marvellous thing that God's love for the human family has been uniquely embodied in the One who came into the world at a particular time to a particular young woman. Through her we see that God's love is not a vague idea but embodied love. In Jesus Christ, son of Mary and Son of God, we see whom God is and whom we are called to follow.

What a splendid image of motherhood for Mothers' Day! What an encouragement to mothers and all of us (as children of mothers) as we take up our responsibilities in the family, the community and the Church. This mother is the mother of the One in whom God's love has been supremely displayed as a sign of hope for each and every family and each and every conceived child.

Moreover, she is the human link between the Incarnation and the Church.
This 'Mother of God' is also 'Mother of the Church'. Therefore, on Mothers' Day, we give thanks above all else that, through this 'Mother of God' we have been called into 'Mother Church'. Though it is a flawed and forgiven family, it is delighted to join Mary in 'proclaiming the greatness of the Lord' (Together in Song 161) in the hope that our mothers and fathers, our families and the human family may also sing the praises of her son - the merciful Son of God.

Through her, the family and the Church are sanctified and blessed - but not idealised! As true 'Mother of the Living' and 'Mother of God' she bears the One in whom God's forgiveness of sins has been uniquely embodied. Thus, family life and the life of the Christian community are both upheld by grace alone.

Mothers' Day reminds us that, as mothers or children of mothers, we blossom or wither to the extent we receive and return love in the imperfect families into which we have been born. It also reminds us of the vital task of nurturing each other in the imperfect 'family of Jesus Christ'.

There will be times when loyalty to 'Mother Church' trumps loyalty to our natural families. Lest we think that mothers (and fathers) should be 'honoured' no matter what, Jesus says that, as important as it is, family loyalty is not ultimate. Love of God takes precedence over love of our families - including our mothers and children. My 'true mother and brothers,' said Jesus, 'are those who do the will of God. (Mark 3:35)'

This must not be tragically misconstrued (by narrow religious groups) to forbid members maintaining contact with their natural families. Christians are called to love one another, to seek reconciliation with those from whom they are estranged and to love those who hate them. However, it does mean that family loyalty must not stand in the way of Christ's calling to witness to God's saving grace.

What this means will vary according to time, place, ability and circumstance. For many people it has meant leaving the family to become missionaries abroad - to bring the Gospel to other families. It may mean staying home, but running the risk of alienating our families by worshipping the God of grace, nurturing one another in faith, hope and love, and opposing dark forces that demean women, children, the poor, refugees, and others, in the name of the fully human son of Mary and the only Son of God. If our Mothers' Day reflections open our eyes to the miracle of grace in Mary, 'Mother of God' and 'Mother of the faithful', we too will be delighted to participate in 'Mother Church' and to honour our mothers without either idealising or demonising our 'natural families' or the 'family of Jesus Christ'.

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Rev Dr Max Champion is the minister of St John's Uniting Church, Mt Waverley, Victoria, Australia. Dr Champion is a member of the Council of the Assembly of Confessing Congregations within the UCA.