So many of us go through the motions, meeting holidays in the calendar with more of a sense of ritual and routine than with awe and reflection.
But there is a reason – a deep, spiritually significant reason – for most if not all of the important days on our calendars.
Take, for instance, Mother’s Day, which is in the near future.
Every man and woman that has ever been born has a mother, even those who were not fortunate ever to have known theirs, and the maternal unit is integral to and inseparable from the basic social unit.
The figure of motherhood is also a reflection of Christ – hence the importance of a spiritual reading of Mother’s Day.
What Is the Spirituality of Mother’s Day?
Consider the mother figure. Idyllically, she is consumed with love for her child – nothing but love.
Of course, this is a generalization of the figure, but some truths can be gleaned from the portrayal
An infant may hurl wild infractions against a mother, ruining her clothing, biting, and pulling her hair, but the mother, rather than rejecting the infant, cares for and coaches him or her to be better.
One might say this love is unconditional.
Even taking out the philosophical, religious reading of the mother figure, the pragmatic significance of motherhood is that, without a mother, not a single one of us would be here.
Regardless of your reading of it, on Mother’s Day, we stop to reflect, with gratitude, on all of the sacrifices that our mothers have made for us, and for the sacrifices of so many other mothers around the world who may never be recognized.
It is a time to honor our corporeal mothers, as well as our spiritual parent, God.
And even so, it can be said that the office of motherhood is a reflection of Christ himself.
Christ As Spiritual Mother
Most interpretations of the scripture place God as the father figure in the cosmos, but an argument can just as easily be made that God occupies a role of motherhood.
Some readings might also suggest that Jesus, God incarnate, though a man, has motherly attributes.
Jesus alone among men exhibits Caritas, divine, selfless, unconditional love, which is most like what we experience from our mothers.
Jesus also gathers the children to him (Matt 18) displaying his mother;y tendencies as a nurturer, guide, and caregiver.
His compassion, tenderness, and unconditional love are all attributes of the classical mother figure.
Though not biblical, Julian of Norwich also famously likened Christ to a mother figure.
In Divine Revelations, she calls Jesus “our true Mother” who “bears us into joy and eternal life.” In the same work, she likens Jesus’ revelation of the gospel (and his sacrifice of his body) to a mother’s milk, which both nourishes and sustains life.
Regardless of your reading, Mother’s Day is a deeply significant day that transcends culture and history and bears personal relevance to all of us.
Take some time this Mother’s Day to reflect in gratitude on the holy blessing of motherhood, and give thanks both to your parents and creator.
Lady Clergy: Visit Divinity Clergy Wear for Ladies Class A Vestments
Female members of the clergy, if you are looking this Mother’s Day for a new set of vestments, either for yourself or for another mother, visit Divinity Clergy Wear online via the previous link.
They carry ladies’ Class A vestments that come with 6 pieces, including a black Anglican cassock and cincture, a black tippet, a white surplice, and a silver cross and cord.
Visit their website via the link above for more information or take a trip to their showroom in Hamilton, New Jersey for more information.
