Mothering Sunday, 22 March 2020
I wonder how you are feeling right now? Afraid perhaps… overwhelmed... confused? No one really likes change and this week has brought major changes for us as a nation. Theatres, cinemas, schools, shops, sporting venues, as well as pubs and restaurants have had to close.
How do we respond as a church, when we are not able to gather as a church in the usual way?
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have urged us all to become a different sort of church in these coming months: Far from having to “shut up shop”, the archbishops have called us to face the challenge by becoming a radically different kind of church rooted in prayer and serving others. I wonder how our faith might help us in these times, and also how we might continue to live out our faith, a faith which is rooted in love and service.
Perhaps our faith might help us navigate the path ahead, and in reflecting on this, two areas came to mind...firstly a theology of the home, and secondly, the monastic tradition.
First, a theology of the home, which is where we will be spending much more time. We can learn something from our Jewish brothers and sisters here. They have a regular pattern of spirituality based around the home. From the great yearly events like Passover, to the weekly Friday Sabbath. And they are often based around the meal table.
Cooking isn’t just about the food – it’s about what happens around the table, the community that it brings together. So, if you live as a family or with a partner, savour the time around the table.
If you live alone, is there a way in our wonderfully technological world to schedule a meal time with someone else? – for example, over the phone (facetime or whatsapp video calls), or using the internet (like skype or zoom).
Or simply enjoy the meal being aware of it as a gift from God. Say grace before eating. Be thankful for what we have, aware that there are others far less fortunate. Don’t rush the meal. Tell stories, reflect on memories, listen to a favourite music playlist. Whilst we cannot gather around the altar, the Lord’s Table, let’s be creative in how we share our lives and faith around the meal table.
Secondly, there is an ancient monastic tradition in the church of withdrawing from the hustle and bustle of the world. There are different kinds of monastic traditions but they usually involve simple living, time for silence, contemplation, prayer, as well as work within the monastery (like cleaning, cooking and gardening), and they also involve routine. And this is important - many of us need routine. Forming a rhythm can help us structure the days, and give us a sense of purpose and clarity.
May I encourage you to find time to pray each day. You can join us at 9.15am Monday-Thursday using Zoom – let Fr Neil know and he’ll send an invite.
As well as a time for contemplation and prayer, set meal times. Make you we get some kind of exercise, take a walk in the park.
Is there a time each day when we focus on others, through prayer or service? I wonder what you need in your daily routines, to not just survive, but to thrive at this time?
Lastly, as we get used to a different way of living for a while, let us all practice a calm compassion. As one priest put it, ‘Every hand we don’t shake must become a phone call we make…. Every inch and every foot of distance we put between ourselves and another, must become a thought about how we could help that other, should the need arise.’
On this Mothering Sunday, perhaps we can ask ourselves how we can be a loving, protecting and nurturing community – to our families, church and neighbours, to all those feeling confused and scared.
While lots of things have been cancelled by the coronavirus, let us ensure that love is not one of them.