May 10, 2009 Psalm 67
Mother’s Day/Communion I Corinthians 13:1-13
Communion Meditation
I broke a rule or two today so the Lectionary Police may be looking for me! Rather than use the scripture recommended, scripture that really has nothing to do with Mother’s Day, I went looking for something appropriate. Psalm 67 speaks about blessings and Paul in Corinthians speaks about love. That seems to fit doesn’t it?
The lectionary, of course, serves the global church. Mother’s Day, on the other hand, is a tradition of this country and it all started with these words:
“Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts,
Whether our baptism be of water or of tears.”
So, starts the Mother’s Day Proclamation written by Julia Ward Howe, 19th century social activist and author of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Her words which so clearly respond to the carnage of the Civil War end like this:
“In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask that a general congress of women without limit of nationality may be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient and at the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the alliance of different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace.”
This is a rather bold statement to put to a society that would need another forty years or so before granting women the right to vote.
The Proclamation continues:
“Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. We, the women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.”
Pretty amazing words considering the role of women in 1870. Julia Ward Howe was a woman of huge intellect and great courage; she was both an activist and a visionary. After her father died, he being a strict Episcopalian, she began to take in a broader religious search. She explains: “I studied my way out of all the mental agonies which Calvinism can engender and became a Unitarian.”(Mother’sDayCentral.com)
We credit, then, Julia Ward Howe with the inception of Mother’s Day. Actually, her dream was to create a Women’s Peace Congress. She never experienced Mother’s Day as we know it today. Rather, the idea evolved through Anna M. Jarvis desiring to honor her mother with the first Mother’s Day celebration and it happened at Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia in 1908. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson, created a national day of observance.
There are two “post scripts” to this story that are worth mentioning:
Julia Ward Howe was only five years old when her mother died. Thus, the woman to whom the origins of the day can be traced, never really knew her mother.
The second lesser known point is this: Once Mother’s Day became official, the flower industry naturally became heavily invested in the occasion. Anna Jarvis was opposed to this development. An informative web site (Mother’sDayCentral.com )explains the rest: “Despite her efforts, flower sales on Mother’s Day continued to grow…Anna Jarvis died in 1948, blind, poor and childless. Jarvis would never know that it was, ironically, The Florist’s Exchange that had anonymously paid for her care.”
In last year’s Mother’s Day message I used the text that tells of Jesus’ trip to Jerusalem as a boy. Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple and Mary, understandably as a mother, is impressed with her son’s knowledge. This is one incident that gives us insight into the relationship between Jesus and Mary. Mary is clearly moved and keeps all these fond memories in her heart. By the same token, we know that by then Mary and Joseph had more than one child. Matt. 13: 55 makes that very clear as people from the home town declare: “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is this not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us?”
Jesus had at least six brothers and sisters. There may have been more than two sisters because they are not named the way the boys are. Typical for a male-dominated society. But, what we know for certain is that Jesus grew up in a big family. Jesus was a big brother to four boys and at least two girls. Tragically, we don’t know any of the details. We tend to think of Jesus as a loaner, but clearly until adulthood this was not the case. He was the oldest child in a large household. Too bad we don’t have any stories about him in all those years. What do you imagine his brothers and sisters thought of him?
We look at another account and this one is powerful: Just before the end comes for Jesus, a disciple comes with Jesus’ mother to see him. Knowing that he will soon be gone, Jesus’ concern is not for himself but for his mother. The disciple says to Mary, “Woman, behold, your son!” Jesus says back to him, “Behold, your mother.” Then these words: “And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”(John 19)
In his very time of dying, Jesus’ love for his mother is powerfully displayed. Jesus knows that he will be unable to be with her to support her and love her, so he provides a new son. Clearly, this is an amazing moment and one which not only displays Jesus’ selflessness, but his deep love for his mother. One cannot help but be moved by this account.
Moving also this day are the pictures that many of you brought to worship. If you were not able to bring one, create a picture in your mind. The images reflect a history of who you are and they are symbolic of your love for your mothers. Although no one knows then identity of all of these faces, you know the one most important to you. The stories of sacrifice, forgiveness, tenderness and love are all deep in your hearts. They are what this day is all about.
This is a special day; it is a time for remembering. It is a time for showing appreciation to the person who carried you into this very world. It is truly a day of blessings and love. Amen.
