In a recent post I made here, I discussed the celebration of mothering Sunday at St. Piran’s Church Jos, the capital of Plateau state. In this post, I’ll be discussing the relevance of the celebration to us as kingdom-minded, success-driven teens and kids. Before going deep into the discourse, let me give you a little gist about the history of Mothering Sunday.
Few days ago, March 19, 2023, to be precise, what was on the lips of most teens and kids, youths and the elderly was either “Happy Mother’s Day” or “Happy Mothering Sunday.” In your own case my dear reader, what was on your own lips? Was it one or both?
Anyway let me just say many of us say “Happy Mother’s Day” while few are conversant with the other one “Happy Mothering Sunday.” This being the case, let me note that what is important is the fact that although Mother’s day and Mothering Sunday represent the same thing today, the origin of both are different. I have the belief that is worthy of note.
Whilst Mother’s Day was originally an ancient Greek and Roman celebration of some mother goddesses, Mothering Sunday which is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in lent i.e. three weeks to Easter, was originally a celebration of Mary the mother of Jesus, popularly referred to as “Mother Mary” especially within the Catholics. On that day (the fourth Sunday in lent i.e. three weeks to Easter), people usually visit their mother church. This gives them the opportunity to unite with their families. It equally gave servants and domestic helps the opportunity to see their mothers, in fact, they were often given a day off to spend time with their mothers.
Over time, mothering Sunday metamorphosed to the celebration of mothers generally. On this day, mothers are “spoilt” sort of, with flowers and gifts or taken out for special dinners to show appreciation and gratitude for their care, love, support and encouragement.
Done with the history, it’s time to know the relevance of the mothering Sunday celebration to us as kingdom-minded, success-driven teens and kids. Let me quickly ask some questions.
- Are there women around you who do not have children, either due to death of their children or because they didn’t give birth to any?
- Are there also elderly women whose children are all grown but are not living around them?
- Are there also women who are elderly but are not married and therefore have no children?
If your answer to all any of the questions is yes,
- How do you treat them?
- How do you talk to and about them?
- What do you often think about them?
- Did you remember to celebrate them on Sunday?
As kingdom-minded, success-driven teens and kids, we are to be a source of joy, happiness and laughter to those around us. This includes all the categories of women I asked about in the paragraph above. Do you know that spending time with and celebrating women whose children have all died either at infancy or adulthood due to ill health, accident, etc. could bring gladness to fill their heart. For those grandmas whose children and grandchildren live far from them, we can make them happy by spending time with them, helping out with chores, asking questions, sitting at their feet to listen to stories and listening to their advice. g.
Do not be part of those that insult, disrespect or treat them like people who have committed crimes. We should also learn to tolerate them when their act annoy us. We all pray to grow old, but our attitude towards old people sometimes does not depict this.
Till I come your way next time, keep being good ambassadors of the kingdom
Nnabugwu Chinaza
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