Mothers’ Union Devotion Wednesday 3rd February 2021

¹² Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes.

¹³ With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth.

¹⁴ I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches.

¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

¹⁶ I will delight in your statutes;  I will not forget your word. Psalm 119

Yesterday saw the final feast in the series beginning with Advent at the end of November, through Christmas, Epiphany and finally Candlemas. Decorations went up in various stages, preparations were made, many of which were unable to be realised. Decorations then came down again in various stages and finally the crib was wrapped up carefully last night.

So, we come to a time to pause. This year the pause is only for 14 days. Not the shortest pause. In 2008 Ash Wednesday was the day after Candlemas. Even so it is quite a shock to realise that we will soon be back in Lent, which is where we were, when our first lockdown started.

Many people I speak to on the phone, reflect how calendar time is moving on at a seemingly fast pace but that the days themselves seem to drag. As one parishioner remarked to me – When you have completed all the chores you need to do by 11am you find yourself wondering how to fill the remaining hours of the day. That is where phone calls come into their own. They can be unexpected pleasures that break up the monotony of another day spent within the same four walls. A way of fulfilling Jesus’ commandment to love your neighbour as yourself in what is often the only way open to us at the moment.

The psalm set for this morning is part of Psalm 119 and it reminds us of the delight that can be had by following our Lord’s commandments. When we cheer other people up, we are also cheered up. When we break up the monotony of our friend’s day our own monotony is also relieved. When we show people that we have not forgotten them they respond by reflecting their affection for us. We must not fall into the trap of thinking that it is only by doing practical things or raising money that we are fulfilling our calling as members of Mothers’ Union. All our interactions with fellow members or the families in our communities or beyond, are encounters that allow us to carry out our loving Lord’s mission here on earth. As we say in midday prayers: –

May we always see the world through the eyes of Christ, speak to those we meet with the words of Christ and take with us on our journey the peace of Christ. Amen

With all my love and prayers

Revd Sandra