11 May 2025, Mother’s day, Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17

Taste of Home, Heart of God-“The Lord is My Mother”

"Surprise and Grace in Pink Waves—Mother's Day"

I have to say that it’s truly exciting to be with you here this morning. To all the mothers in this place, in this planet—whether at home, in nursing homes, overseas, or in heaven, I want to say, 'Thank you.' I want to say, 'Bless you.'

In a broader sense, we honour not only birth mothers, adoptive mothers, and stepmothers but also those who may not have children of their own.. but serve… as spiritual mothers—particularly those nurturing and caring brothers and sisters in the life of the church. We thank God for the gift of mothers, for their strength, patience, and unwavering love. We honour those who have shaped us, loved us, and taught us to walk in faith.

And as we gather in worship today, we remember that God’s love surrounds us like a mother’s embrace, constant, tender, and ever-present. May we carry that same spirit of love and care into our own lives, blessing others just as we have been blessed. Happy mother’s day.

I recently came across a beautiful short video called "The Best Homemade Meal Ever." Since it’s over 6 minutes long, I don’t think we’ll have time to watch it today.  But let me tell you the story because I believe  / it speaks to us in a powerful way, especially on this Mother's Day.

Just imagine this: You’re far from home, overseas, chasing your dreams in a new city—studying, working really hard. Life feels exciting, yes, but it’s also incredibly challenging. There are moments when the language barriers, cultural differences, and financial pressures feels daunting. And in those moments, you find yourself longing for something simple yet powerful: something warm, familiar, and comforting.

A documentary production team wanted to bring comfort international students living far from home. They came up with a clever idea: a fake advertisement  “Inviting the international students for documentary film. It will be a simple interview, and participants will receive a small gift.”

Many students responded, and those who were finally selected were given the time and place. In front of the camera, they started talking—sharing stories about their lives challenges. Naturally, they expressed how much they missed their families, especially their mother’s cooking and the familiar routines of home. Some even became emotional, Tears filled their eyes as they spoke. But here is an amazing thing, the team had something else planned. Using the information from the application forms, they secretly contacted the students’ families back home, especially their mothers—and asked for recipes, their absolute favourite meals. Wow! not just recipes, they even requested familiar things from home, for example, specific plates, certain cups, and maybe even table cloths, that’s the incredible planning. Shch a care and understanding how much those little things mean.

After the interviews, the team invited the meal saying, "We’ve prepared something for you at the restaurant. We are not sure what you’d like, so I prepared something random. Hope you like it!  The team set up hidden cameras and carefully recreated a dining space that looked just like home.

As the students sat down, something started to feel strangely familiar. "This tablecloth... it looks just like the one we have at home," one student said, still thinking it was just a coincidence. Another student picked up a cup and froze. "Wait a second, this... this is my cup from home!" Then, the side dishes started coming out. One student looked closely at a plate……and confused and puzzled. "This plate... it’s just like the one from my house!"   Finally, the main dish was served. As they took their first bites, they couldn’t believe it. "This tastes exactly like my mom’s cooking... it’s so good." At first, the students just looked around  "This... it really tastes like my mom’s food," one student said quietly, still in shock.

Another student, picked up their chopsticks and took a bite. "Wow, it’s true... this tastes just like my mom’s cooking!" Hearing that, the student next to them quickly took a bite too. "It’s my favourite scrambled eggs! Exactly like how my mom makes it!" "How did this happen? Who made this food?""No way... could it really be... did our moms come here?""No... it can’t be... but this taste... I really miss Mom."

There was something so personal about that moment—a slow, dawning realization spreading among them. Just then, the door opened, and their mothers walked in."Mum!" The students ran toward their mothers, hugging them with tears streaming down their faces—pure joy and an incredibly moving reunion.

As I watched this video, one verse immediately came to mind—Psalm 23. Yes, it’s today’s lectionary reading: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”And just to be clear—I didn’t choose this passage. It was already scheduled! Just like that homemade meal that brings comfort and warmth, I would say that God’s table is prepared with care and love. It’s not just a place to eat—it’s a place where our souls are nourished and where love overflows. Just like the students’ table.

God, with a motherly heart, feeds us, clothes us, and provides for us every single day. King David, who personally experienced this care, confessed, “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” But today, I’d like to put it this way: “The Lord is my mother; I lack nothing.” What’s even more beautiful is that as always, God comes to us like a mother. God has placed His own nurturing, motherly image within our mothers. … they love, embrace, forgive, and sacrifice, blessing their children… in ways that reflect God’s mothering heart.

So today, as we celebrate Mother's Day, let’s give thanks not only for our mothers but also for the God who nurtures us like a mother—constantly providing, constantly loving, and constantly embracing us with grace.  But while we celebrate, Yes, Mother’s Day is a beautiful occasion for us to celebrate the love and care we’ve received from our mothers.

But let’s be real —it’s not always just about happy memories. While many of us feel grateful and joyful on this day, for others, it can be a time that brings a mix of emotions—bittersweet or even painful. For some of us, Mother’s Day brings up feelings of loss, strained relationships, or unresolved hurts. Some of us may be grieving the loss of our moms, while others might feel the ache of distant or complicated family ties. And that’s okay. Even on a day meant for celebration, it’s natural to hold a range of emotions. In my case, there’s so little I can do to express everything I want to say. All I can manage… is a video call. It feels a bit lacking, and I feel sorry about it. I’m sure my mom feels that way even more and more.

But even in this reality, in today’s second reading from Revelation 7, saying these beautiful words, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” I am sure it brings hope and great comfort because it speaks to the deepest parts of our hearts—especially on days like this. Tears show our vulnerability, revealing both love and pain, joy and loss, all at once. Just as a mother tenderly wipes away their child’s tears, God meets us in our most honest moments. He doesn’t shy away from our problems or ask us to hide our pain. Instead, He draws near, wiping away each tear with His loving hands. This is a precious and reassuring promise—a reminder that we are never alone in our sadness, especially on a day like today.

Dear brothers and sisters, today we gather to share in Holy Communion, especially on this special day—Mother’s Day. Reflecting on the message we just shared, we are reminded of the warm meal lovingly prepared by God, like a mother, and the table that God has set before us. Just as a mother carefully prepares a meal with love and care, Jesus has also prepared this table for us—just like a homemade meal that brings comfort and warmth.  God’s table is prepared with attention and love, where our souls are nourished and love overflows.

Let us remember that this communion is not just a place to eat but a place where our souls are filled and love abounds. That’s why today, I want to naturally transition from the sermon into communion. "The Lord is my mother; I lack nothing." "God, with a mother’s heart, wipes away our tears."

Once again, as we share this bread and cup today, let us remember that this is not just a meal but a feast of grace. Just as Christ’s love was poured out for us, so too does a mother’s love flow endlessly and without reserve. Let us give thanks for the unending love of Christ and the nurturing love of our mothers. And so, as we reflect on God’s motherly love and the nurturing spirit that surrounds us, it feels only right that we move from this message into the act of communion. Just as God’s love is poured out for us without reservation, so we come to this table—open, grateful, and ready to receive His grace.

Let us now transition from the word to the table, from reflection to communion, as we partake in the feast that Christ has lovingly prepared for us. Amen.