Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent that is also kept as Mothering Sunday. The Gospel reading chosen for Mothering Sunday is Luke’s account of Mary taking the infant Jesus into the Temple. There the aged Simeon prophesies about Mary’s close identification with the ministry and suffering of her son Jesus. The significance given to Mary within the Christian tradition differs considerably from one Church to another. Mothering Sunday provides an appropriate occasion to reflect on the place of Mary in different Churches today.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of Mary mother of Jesus. In today’s picture from their book, Baptism Service, Aled and Sian visit their local Catholic church for their baby cousin’s baptism. There they light a candle before the statue of Mary.
Lord Jesus Christ,
your mother Mary was truly blessed among women,
as she stood alongside you in pain and suffering.
Inspire our lives by Mary’s example,
that we may share her dedication and her joy;
now and always.
Amen.
Next Sunday is the Fifth Sunday of Lent when the reading from John’s Gospel recounts the raising of Lazarus. The image to help prepare for next Sunday’s theme is tombs. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.
Prayer Requests
Would you like to submit a prayer request? You can do so through the Prayer for Liverpool website.
Notice Sheet
Would you like to sign up to receive the Cathedral’s weekly notice sheet? You can do so here.
Sunday 15th March: Road Closures