A postscript Post – For Mother’s Day, 12 May in Australia …

There are two important passages concerning Jesus and his close caring contact with his mother.

The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11): This is where Jesus performs his first miracle, turning water into wine, at a wedding feast in Cana. Jesus’ mother Mary plays a significant role in this event, as she informs Jesus that the hosts have run out of wine. Although Jesus initially seems hesitant to intervene, Mary instructs the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do, prompting him to perform the miracle. It is the start of his public ministry at the bequest of Mary.

The Crucifixion (John 19:25-27): During the crucifixion of Jesus, we see Mary standing near the cross along with other women, witnessing her son’s suffering. Jesus, in his final moments, entrusts the care of his mother to the beloved disciple (traditionally identified as John), saying to Mary, “Woman, behold your son!” and to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” This passage highlights Jesus’ concern for his mother’s well-being.

In the time of Jesus the stereotype image of mother is one of subservience and background duties as an adjunct to male dominance. Today the mother image has changed but father image has become tainted by current domestic violence concerns. Those victims of such abuse might well hold negativity in the reference to our father and heaven in the Lord’s Prayer. Especially those outside the traditional church view of Father. And those that equate creation with love outside personification.

I attempted to find some balance by including a reference to mother in the following contemporary version below …

Our Father

Our Father, Mother of all life living in timeless beauty
        your name is sacred always to be praised and adored
you created our world and continue to transform
                                          the wonder of your creation

we thank you each day for having given us your son

forgive our wrong behaviour
as we forgive the wrongs of others

                       you know us intimately,  
                                                    guide our lives and protect us from harm

for you are all good, pure love, and perfect
            all honour, power, and glory are yours now and forever.

                                                                    
                                Richard Scutter (first published in a Yass Valley Writers anthology)