Mother’s Day is this Sunday and our texts do not mention one mother! But the qualities often associated with “mothering” are everywhere in these verses.

And few people will give a lot of thought to Anna Jarvis of West Virginia around the turn of the century 1900. She was a Methodist who carried on her mother Ann’s dream of bringing together women of the Civil War who had lost family members to that great conflict of both North and South. The intent on those early Mother’s Day celebrations was less on sentiment and more upon the desire for peaceful ways over ways of war in resolving conflict! Our texts support a number of images associated with peace over war: mansions or dwelling places that are secure and peaceful; forgiveness instead of curses upon our enemies; growing into maturity through reconciliation (“pure spiritual milk”) rather than division.

Well….this all sounds like wisdom we might have heard from our mothers at some point along our way! We can celebrate the whole family of God this Sunday, too, even if we are not blood kin nor have the same mother! We obey the 5th Commandment and we follow Jesus the Son who has many children prepared for many “mansions” as we gather this May 14th. As to the “mattress and a good pair of shoes,” that has to do with a single mom teaching Home Economics in the Appalachians. More on that Sunday.

As you are blessed with family and friends like family, in turn bless others Continue in peace!

Pastor Barry