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25/03/2017
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with the Revd Prebendary Edward Mason, Rector of Bath Abbey.
Last on
Sat 25 Mar 2017
05:43
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Saturday March 25th
Good morning.
Itβs March 25th and, if we thought we were safely a long way from the run-in to Christmas, we might have to think again!
Today the Christian Church celebrates the day when Mary the mother of Jesus was visited by an angel to tell her that she would conceive and bear a son. Β Itβs now a biological nine months to Christmas!
Itβs also a happy coincidence that this holy day β The Annunciation - falls on the Saturday when fathers up and down the country have that sinking feeling. Β Tomorrow is Mothering Sunday so dads will be pulled eagerly to the shops by excited children, cards must be cut, glued, and written, flowers bought and menus prepared. Β
But, for all the excitement and industry, tomorrow can be painful for many β for those who yearn to be mothers and are bitterly disappointed, and others for whom the remembrance of mum isnβt happy.
Both the joy and pain are contained in Maryβs story. Β She is excited beyond measure and, in her song known as the Magnificat, she instinctively recognizes that this holy birth is going to change the world β the lowest will be lifted up, the proud and powerful humbled, the hungry fed. Β But todayβs scripture also refers to a sword piercing Maryβs soul as she will watch Jesus, the Son she is to bear, surrender himself in love for the world. Β
All that was long ago, in Palestine, on an ordinary day, as today might be for us. Β Maryβs story isnβt so much about motherhood as what can happen when a young woman in the ordinary of the day says βYesβ to God. Β
Holy Spirit of God, help me, like Mary, to be alert to your voice in the joy and difficulty of this day and to risk trusting in your loving purposes. Β Amen.
Itβs March 25th and, if we thought we were safely a long way from the run-in to Christmas, we might have to think again!
Today the Christian Church celebrates the day when Mary the mother of Jesus was visited by an angel to tell her that she would conceive and bear a son. Β Itβs now a biological nine months to Christmas!
Itβs also a happy coincidence that this holy day β The Annunciation - falls on the Saturday when fathers up and down the country have that sinking feeling. Β Tomorrow is Mothering Sunday so dads will be pulled eagerly to the shops by excited children, cards must be cut, glued, and written, flowers bought and menus prepared. Β
But, for all the excitement and industry, tomorrow can be painful for many β for those who yearn to be mothers and are bitterly disappointed, and others for whom the remembrance of mum isnβt happy.
Both the joy and pain are contained in Maryβs story. Β She is excited beyond measure and, in her song known as the Magnificat, she instinctively recognizes that this holy birth is going to change the world β the lowest will be lifted up, the proud and powerful humbled, the hungry fed. Β But todayβs scripture also refers to a sword piercing Maryβs soul as she will watch Jesus, the Son she is to bear, surrender himself in love for the world. Β
All that was long ago, in Palestine, on an ordinary day, as today might be for us. Β Maryβs story isnβt so much about motherhood as what can happen when a young woman in the ordinary of the day says βYesβ to God. Β
Holy Spirit of God, help me, like Mary, to be alert to your voice in the joy and difficulty of this day and to risk trusting in your loving purposes. Β Amen.
Broadcast
- Sat 25 Mar 2017 05:43ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
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