11 May 2025 , Psalm 23, Revolution 7:9-17, "A Table of Love: God’s Motherly Heart"

“Celebrating Mother’s Day in a Wave of Pink and Blessings”

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 world 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.

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 six minutes long, we won’t 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 feel 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 to international students living far from home. They came up with a clever idea: a fake advertisement" inviting the international students for a 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 life’s 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 the amazing part: 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 for their absolute favourite meals. Not just recipes they even requested familiar things from home: specific plates, certain cups, and maybe even tablecloths. What incredible planning. Such care and understanding of how much those little things mean.

After the interviews, the team invited the students to a meal, saying, "We’ve prepared something for you at the restaurant. We’re not sure what you’d like, so we 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, 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 mum’s cooking... it’s so good." Another said, "It’s my favourite scrambled eggs! Exactly like how my mum makes it!"

"How did this happen? Who made this food? No way... could it really be... did our mums come here? No... it can’t be... but this taste... I really miss Mum."

There was something so personal about that moment, a slow, dawning realisation 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 those who 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 us 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 we know 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 mums, 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 mum feels that way even more.

But even in this reality, today’s second reading from Revelation 7 gives us 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 her 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. As we do, I invite you to come to this table filled with grace, just as you would come to a table prepared with a mother’s love, tender, welcoming, and full of care. May we receive this sacrament with gratitude and open hearts. Amen.