Rev Ken's Mini Sermon
Today is Mothering Sunday when we celebrate and give thanks for our mums. We visit, give cards and presents to show how much we appreciate them. Why? For their love and their care. But we give thanks for all who love and care, who acts as mothers to us.
On Thursday the government released a list of key workers during the Coronavirus pandemic. As well as medical staff, it includes people in the food supply chain, teachers and local government, emergency services, postmen and refuse collectors and so on. Why? Because their work is about loving and caring for us.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus says, "I give you a new commandment, that you love another. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples. If you have love for one another."
The government may not call us key workers. But God does. Why? Because God loves and cares for us. And God asks us to love and care for each other. We can do this by staying in contact with each other – more than ever by phone, and if we can by text, email and online.
On Sunday evening at 7 pm, we are called to pray and light a candle in a window.
Jonathan Hustler, a minster in the circuit and the Secretary of the Methodist Conference writes, "A candle is only a small thing but it is a powerful sign. A candle proclaims hope in the midst
of anxiety. It reminds us that even when we are 'socially distanced' our faith in God unites us. It points us through fear and gloom to the joy of the resurrection. It represents Christ,
the light of the world."
"The small sign of a candle can also be a prompt to other small signs: the telephone call to ensure that a friend or neighbour who is self-isolating has all they need; the gift from
sparsely populated supermarket shelves into the foodbank basket; the smile or word of encouragement for those who have been classed as 'key workers'. Like the candle flame, those small
actions can be signs of the presence of the living Christ among us."
This is about being a key worker in God's kingdom, this is about acting as a mother to others, this is about being one of Jesus's followers – "loving one another, as God loves us."
Because God loves us – yesterday, today, tomorrow and every day. Amen.
TO THINK ABOUT:
Where do you see God's love in your life today?
How can you share God's love and light this week?