A Celebration of  Mothers, and their Service to Humanity

Scripture: Selections from Proverbs 31,

To all here who are mothers, and to all the mothers we each know and love, I say with heartfelt thanks, ‘Happy Mother’s Day’! It somehow doesn’t seem right that we only set aside one day in which to lift up this most blessed and holy aspect of our Lord’s creation, for truly none of us would have been here, and few of us would have become or achieved what we have if it were not for those who first birthed and loved us. I, in particular, think often of my mom, who for me and my four siblings was the purest example of love that knew no bounds, as well as compassion and forgiveness that never seemed to wain.

Many are the stories of those who, solely as a result of their gender as a woman have had to work twice as hard if not more, to be recognized for their contributions to our shared human story. Indeed in the first account of Creation at the very beginning of our faith history we see a God who lifted up as equally blessed and equally cherished, both man and woman…first formed as co-partners in the force of love that underpins all of human life, indeed all of life found throughout Creation.

It was not until the second account of Creation, starting with Genesis, starting with Chapter 2 and verse 4 that the early corruption of that narrative of beauty and equality begin to be overtaken and subjugated by patriarchal impulses indeed searching for, and deciding, that the origin of all human failing and weakness was exclusively the fault of women. Truly the ‘original sin’ itself is to be found in the weakness of men, and not of women.

That said, Patriarchal forces and power prevailed, and to this day they have not been weakened or lessened to any appreciable degree as current policy and events so amply demonstrate over and over, day in and day out. And yet…and yet, that was not at all the message of, nor was it reinforced by Jesus’ primary ministry examples or actions. Starting with the women in Jesus’ life, from his mother Mary and on through to all those women he lifted up, or who have been given places of utmost importance in the gospel accounts, Jesus can only honestly be seen through a lens lifting up women in such a way as to work strongly against the force and oppression of patriarchy in his day, and by the grace of example, unto our own.

Mary Magdalene, whose story we considered just recently, was the first to see Jesus after the resurrection, and arguably the one upon whom our faith itself is first ‘resurrected from a death on Calvary’. The Samaritan woman, at the well of Jacob in John’s gospel account, was one of the first and most influential prophets commissioned by Jesus, going back to her city and converting the whole populace by her account. And in today’s reading from Acts, we hear of Tabitha, or in the Greek, Dorcas who was one of the first woman disciples of Jesus, and may have even been in the upper room when Jesus appeared after the resurrection. So you see, the first account of Creation, which lists the ‘Spirit of God’ which ‘moved across the waters’ with the feminine name of Ruah, may have been telling us a very different story than the one which has only ever since been written down by men.

I do not know if Tabitha was married, as the biblical accounts very seldom felt it was necessary to give that much attention to women who largely were considered chattel, or the ‘property’ of their husbands. And I do not even know if Jesus himself had a special relationship with a woman…but I do know that Jesus, as the Son of God, and, as the truest visible expression of God’s love, truly loved women and considered them fully and equally important in the work he came to share.

And the truest expression of that same love of God which we can see, I would submit, can be found in the love of a mother for her child. No greater love, no greater willingness to sacrifice for another, no surer expression of the call to ‘lay down one’s life for another’ can be found than in the intense and all-protective love a mother feels for her child. Truly we must find a way to set aside more than one day or one church service a year to lift up the gift of women and the blessing of motherhood.

King Solomon, in his words found in the closing chapter of the Book of Proverbs, begins to give voice to the praise of, and gratefulness for, that we all should feel for our mothers. For being a mother, and raising a child is not simply the care of an infant and those endless needs, but also the care of and nurture of the entire family as well, as Solomon can only begin to acknowledge.

 In reading through Proverbs Chapter 31 it seems as though many have known from the beginning of time what a blessing God wrought, and what balance and beauty would come from the creation of the ones we are all fortunate to call…‘our mom’.

Now I personally was given the gift of an amazing mother, one whom I was and continue to be proud of patterning my life after. And over the years I have shared just how special she was, not just to me and my brothers and sisters, but to our community as well. And I also believe, after coming to know so many of you and learning of the love and sacrifice not only those of which my own wife makes, but of so many mothers in our community and throughout my life, that my mom’s story is not unique, and in fact demonstrates a level of care that truly must be acknowledged and celebrated. So I beg your indulgence to share once again my love for my own mother, and the awe in which I stand in her remembrance…

Starting in verse 10 of Chapter 31 Solomon writes…

An excellent wife who can find?  She is worth far more than precious jewels.

Dear Mom, your example, the way you first began to show us love…was by loving our father, by standing by him in times of struggle, by listening, and by showing such a depth of patience, by loving him even when at times he might have seemed far less than lovable.  A more fortunate man there never was, who first saw the brilliance of the diamond you most surely were…

In verses 15-18…She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, and is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

So true, and so much the very thing that real loving is all about…about giving and serving way beyond the call. By extending oneself to the point of sheer exhaustion, just so that those you love are well taken care of…so much the way you lived for us. Always with a smile, always with a kind and encouraging word, always coming to our defense whenever we felt wronged or injured in some way, ready to affirm our every fledgling attempt to be creative or adventurous.

And as for never calling it quits, I still blush with shame to think that we found it so amusing when you would nod off at the dinner table, so exhausted from your self-emptying life of service and love, succumbing to your body’s insistence that you pause just for a moment to be renewed before snapping awake and getting to your feet again to begin the evening chores, including the affairs of the home, as well as tending to the needs of five children who never even thought of giving you a moment’s rest.  No dear mom…you never did know when to call it quits for the day…

Solomon continues in verses 19-21…She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She’s quick to assist anyone in need and reaches out to help the poor. She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

        Somehow you knew, somehow it was just a part of who you were. The skills and talents you brought to bear in truly making our house into a home were simply amazing. Working within a pauper’s budget you fed and clothed us in ways that made us never to know how difficult it was for you. From casseroles to meatloaf, from hand-me-downs received with grace and sincere gratitude (as though it were Christmas over and over again), to furniture that matched absolutely nothing else but yet somehow was comfortable and cozy…truly all of it became a part of our happiness and joy, for it was given in love and we knew it was good…truly you knew how to live richly with very little…

        Following in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus you taught by example…making sure each of your children not only learned how to make the bread you baked sometimes twice a week but teaching us to be as generous to those around us as you were…giving away countless loaves of that precious life-giving bread to those the Spirit moved your heart to reach out to…such a witness, such an example to follow,

        And late evenings darning socks or teaching me how to knit and to sew, giving me an independence of spirit and ability which still blesses me in being able to stand comfortably in my own frame. And thank you mom for that first used Singer Treadle Sewing machine you got for me, a joy and a creative wonder that I will never forget, for in that act you taught me how to love and to serve another with the gift of care. Mom, you not only made our house a home, you made other’s homes just a bit brighter through the graceful way you gave of what you knew. Sharing without asking for anything in return, giving beyond reasonableness to the point of truly helping others in their need, reaching into where soul and spirit meet, smiling gently and offering the hand of companionship and love. Truly you were skilled in hearth and home…in ours, and for those who were so graced and blessed to call you their friend…

And in verses 25-26…When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.

        We lost your physical touch and comforting embrace way too soon to the tragic car accident that stole your movement when you were at the tender age of just 47…an accident that was to change everything, and to define the rest of our lives so differently from that moment on.  And yet, though you were never again able to reach out and to catch us up in a loving hug, or gently wipe away a tear from our eyes, somehow you rose up, up above that seemingly impossible cruelty, above that unjust steel-like cage of pain and frustration to fly free of it all, by continuing to live your life for those around you…holding us with your unwavering smile, your unfailing good cheer and all of your kind words.

Though you were no longer able to physically hold us, we were nonetheless held closer than ever in the embrace of your eyes, by your listening heart, and in gentle yet firm words of instruction and guidance, as we all struggled our way to grow into responsible adulthood. There truly never was a moment when you did not have something worthwhile to say, or when you did not say it with gentleness and kindness…

Solomon continues in verse 28 writing…Her children respect and bless her…

        I do not think there has been, or ever will be a person whom I will respect and admire as much as I do you mom. And I am pretty sure my brothers and sisters would all agree, along with a whole host of others whose paths crossed your own, or whose paths you sought out in response to some inner call to reach out and hold closely in the name of love.  Your God-given talents and skills, your grace and understanding, your patience and persistent good cheer, are an example we can only hope to draw near to imitating. For you see, you ‘set the bar just a bit high’ dear one. Or maybe…it wasn’t you who set it at all, but rather our Lord of Love who calls each one of us to the same grace-filled purpose. To live lives of love, lives truly lived for others…lives whose only meaning comes from how well we have loved one another. Somehow through it all, and against all odds, you managed to hold us each in such a way that we could see the God in whose image you were so finely cast.

…Somehow we could see through the hardship, the toil and struggles, the unknown lack and want, to the Loving One you yourself were following.

…In looking at your unfailing love we were able to see the unfailing love of God

…In witnessing your grace we were able to see the grace of our Lord

…In receiving your mercy and forgiveness for the times in which we insisted on going astray, we were able to see the gentle Shepherd who also cherishes us without condition each and every moment of our lives

And, in being blessed to touch, and be touched by your life of deepest love we were touched by the very hand of God…

…and so, in deep humility I can only say…thanks as we continue to try to live by your example…all my love…

…and Happy Mother’s Day to all of you who bless us by freely and willingly share this same holy and righteous calling…

…amen