This is a copy of my talk given at Ayia Kyriaki in the Anglican Church of Paphos on Mothering Sunday 30 March 2025. The Bible reading was Colossians 3:12-17.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
I thank You for Your word.
By the power of Your Holy Spirit,
May You speak to my heart,
And change my life.
In the precious name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.

Introduction
I recognise that, for many people, Mothering Sunday can be an extremely painful day as we are reminded of mums and wives who are no longer with us. Mothering Sunday can also be a difficult day for those who didn’t, or don’t, have a good relationship with their mothers and for those who don’t have children of their own. I pray that God’s comfort will be upon you and that his peace will be especially close to you today.

Mothering Sunday has evolved over the years; from the time when people would return to their “Mother Church” during Lent to when those in service and apprenticeships went home to their mothers with gifts such as hand-picked flowers.

Now a staple in the church calendar, and celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent, Mothering Sunday is a time for us all to recognize the importance of those who have cared for and mothered us in some way during our lives.

As we gather today to celebrate Mothering Sunday, we pause to honour all those who have nurtured, cared for, and mothered us in various ways throughout our lives. Whether our mothers are here with us or in our hearts, whether they are biological mothers, adoptive mothers, grandmothers, or any woman who has been a motherly figure, today is a special time to recognize their love and their sacrifice in shaping our lives.

The theme of today’s talk is The Gift Of Peace, and it’s a theme that resonates deeply, especially in a world that is often filled with uncertainty, conflict, and tension. Today, we reflect on the peace that we need, the peace that mothers and caregivers bring, and the peace that we, as a Christian community, must work to nurture and share with one another.

The Need for Peace
In the world around us, peace can seem elusive. We live in a time when uncertainty is a constant presence. Economic challenges, political unrest, environmental concerns, and personal struggles can leave us feeling uneasy, anxious, and weary.

Families, in particular, are not immune to these challenges. Mothers and caregivers often bear the emotional weight of this uncertainty, seeking to create stable, nurturing environments for their children while managing their own concerns and stresses.

In this context, the gift of peace becomes not just a desire but a deep need. And this peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of something much greater – a deep, abiding sense of calm, security, and wholeness that comes from God. It is the peace that surpasses all understanding. It is that Shalom peace that only God can give.

In John 14:27 Jesus offered words of comfort to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

These words of Jesus were said during the Last Supper, as He prepares to leave His disciples. He knows the challenges they will face and the turmoil that will soon surround them. Yet, He offers them peace – a peace that is not of this world but one that comes from Him, rooted in His love and presence. This peace is not dependent on circumstances but on a relationship with the Prince of Peace Himself.

Mothers and caregivers are often called to embody this peace in their own lives. They are called to be peacemakers in their families, guiding their children not just through moments of conflict but teaching them what it means to live from a place of peace and security. Jesus offers peace to His followers in the midst of trouble, and mothers are often called to do the same for their families.

Honouring Those Who Have Mothered Us
Today, we recognize and honour the mothers and caregivers who have poured out their love and care for us. They are the ones who, in the face of challenges, offer safety and security. They are the ones who teach us how to love, how to forgive, and how to live with compassion.

When we honour mothers, we are not just celebrating biological motherhood; we are celebrating the countless ways that women of all walks of life mother and care for others. It is a calling, a vocation, that often goes unrecognized but is deeply valued in the Kingdom of God.

In honouring them today, we also acknowledge the role they play in creating peace within the home and the wider community. As they demonstrate patience, empathy, and wisdom, they teach us what it means to be peacemakers. They sow seeds of love, reconciliation, and understanding. They help to heal wounds, mend relationships, and guide us back to the peace that only God can provide.

Mothers As Peacemakers
In our culture, it is easy to think of peace in terms of avoiding conflict or seeking quiet moments. But true peace, the peace that Jesus offers, is about something much deeper. It is about wholeness – about reconciling what is broken, about forgiving what is hurtful, and about trusting God even when the storms of life rage around us.

Mothers and caregivers play an important role as peacemakers. They not only maintain peace in the home but also teach their children how to be peacemakers in their own lives. Our reading from Colossians 3:12-17, speaks about the importance of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness and love.

When a mother models all of these virtues, she is laying the foundation for her children to grow up with those same virtues. She teaches them how to resolve conflict with love, how to forgive, and how to extend grace to others. In this way, mothers become agents of peace, helping to create a ripple effect that spreads far beyond their homes.

A New Generation Of Peacemakers
The world needs peacemakers now more than ever. As our society faces division, pain, and unrest, the role of mothers and caregivers in teaching the next generation about peace is crucial. It starts with simple actions – modelling peaceful behaviour, speaking words of kindness and affirmation, and showing grace in moments of conflict.

But it also extends to more intentional teachings. By encouraging children to resolve differences respectfully, to listen to one another, and to empathize with others, mothers and caregivers can help shape a generation that values peace over violence, reconciliation over division, and love over hate.

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” As mothers and caregivers teach and model peace-making, they are not only cultivating peace in the present but also raising up future peacemakers who will continue this work for generations to come.

Praying for Peace
As we honour mothers today, let us also pray for peace – for them and for all those who mother and care for others. Let us pray that they would experience the peace that Jesus offers, a peace that guards their hearts and minds. Let us pray that they would have the strength and wisdom to continue being peacemakers in a world that so desperately needs it. Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of mothers and caregivers who show us what it means to love, nurture, and care. We ask for Your peace to rest upon them today and always. May they experience Your peace in their hearts, in their homes, and in their relationships. Grant them strength in times of weariness, wisdom in moments of uncertainty, and grace when faced with challenges. Help them to be peacemakers in their families, to model forgiveness and reconciliation, and to teach a new generation how to live in peace. May the peace of Christ reign in their hearts and overflow into the lives of those they love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.