Family life - the heart of God's purpose for the human race

‘Honour your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you’ Exodus 20:12

This month, on Sunday the 18th, we celebrate 'Mothering Sunday', a rather strange occasion which owes much to ancient tradition - apprentices returning home in mid-Lent - and even more to American consumerism. 'Mother's Day' now has an enormous retail turnover - woe betide the shop that runs out of flowers, chocolates and sentimental greetings cards before the event. However, for the Church it at least provides a wonderful opportunity. In the first place, it almost guarantees a large congregation. In the second place it means that we can speak about the essential value and dignity of motherhood in our society without people thinking that we are on some 'Back to Basics' political agenda.

Clearly, the role of a mother in a family is a crucial one. We only need to read our newspapers or watch the TV news to know the truth of that. In a society where economic and career pressures tend to undermine it, the indisputable fact is that children who grow up in a stable home, with two parents, each fulfilling their God-given role as mentors, guardians and providers, are much more likely to live fulfilled and happy lives than those who, for whatever reason, lack those priceless benefits. So it's not surprising that the principle is enshrined in the very heart of the law of God. To 'honour' our parents is to value them, to treat them with respect, to heed their advice and follow their examples. If we do, it says, we shall 'live long in the land' of promise. Perhaps that simply means that such families will prosper and through succeeding generations occupy the family land. Or it may mean that those who honour their parents will have a quality of life that tends to make them healthy and balanced people, living on happily into old age. Either way, this is the only commandment with a promise attached to it. 'Do this, and these results will follow.'

We have seen recently the negative side of all of this, with the spate of killings in south London providing evidence that where family and parental structures collapse, so do common humanity and a sense of personal responsibility. On Mothering Sunday the Church has the opportunity to offer its positive side. Mothers (and fathers) are good for us. Family life is at the heart of God's purpose for the human race. Those who honour their parents will be blessed - now, and for the rest of their lives.