Mother's Day in the 21st Century

                                                Modern day Madonna and Child -- Jessica Russo Scher

I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs, and will tear open the covering of their heart. Hosea 13:8

When Ruth and I moved from downtown Toronto to begin ministry in outport Newfoundland in the summer of 1980 we had no idea that we were entering into a different culture in our own country. In May of the following year we were introduced to Mother's Day worship, outport style, which was actually the worship of Mother's. I was assured that the Sunday Schools of the different congregations would prepare and lead the service, giving me the opportunity to sit in a pew. It turned out that these presentations didn't bother with scripture, or prayer, or references to God, if I remember correctly -- there was definitely no "momma bear" imagery! . There was just a succession of treacly recitations about mothers. We were quietly aghast. 

Why is Mother's Day on a Sunday? The occasion began as a worship service in the early 20th century, created by Anna Jarvis to honour her late mother who tended to wounded soldiers during the Civil War, along with all other departed mothers. Somehow it became the commercialized Momapalooza we engage in today.

 

                                                           African Woman with Child -- Gail Zavala

There seems to be more push-back to the sentimentalized, commercialized version of Mother's Day each year, and that's probably a good thing. Women are not defined by their ability to bear children and this day can be frustrating and painful for those who can't be or choose not to be mothers. 

That said, I  am remembering my mother today, a person who overcame considerable personal hardship to become a loving, generous parent and establish a successful career. Her Christian faith was at the core of her life and she was a strong example of the spiritual life for me. Ruth has been a wonderful mother and grandmother and is adored by our three kids and their families. I am in awe of her commitment to them in a host of ways.

Today we can offer a prayer for all those mothers who will be separated from children because of the pandemic. Some haven't experienced an embrace from family members for more thatn a year.

And let's remember today that Jesus had a mom, that what we describe as the incarnation of God could not have happened without Mary. Not only did she give birth to Jesus in the most unusual of circumstances, she was present when her child was executed. Her veneration may seem curious at times to Protestants, but she has represented the divine feminine is a religion dominated by male imagery and males for two thousand years.