Scripture: “But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.” — Galatians 4:26 (ESV)
As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day, our hearts turn with gratitude to the women who have nurtured, shaped, and guided us—biologically, spiritually, emotionally. But there is another mother we often overlook: the Church.
Paul’s words in Galatians 4:26 might sound strange at first—“she is our mother”—but early Christians understood this metaphor deeply. The Church is not just an institution or gathering; she is a living community born of the Spirit, and she mothers us into the life of Christ.
Just as a mother feeds, protects, and teaches her children, the Church:
Nourishes us with the Word and Sacraments
Protects us through discipline, prayer, and intercession
Shapes us into Christ’s likeness through teaching, worship, and fellowship
From the baptismal waters where we were welcomed, to the communion table where we are fed, to the gathered saints who walk with us—Mother Church nurtures our faith and points us homeward.
But this image also carries a call. If the Church is our mother, then we, her children, must live in a way that honors her life-giving care. We’re called not only to receive from the Church but also to serve her with love, to protect her unity, and to be spiritual mothers and fathers to others who are growing up in Christ.
On this Mother’s Day, thank God for the women who have mothered you. But also take a moment to reflect on how the Church has mothered your soul. And ask: How might I help her flourish for the sake of the next generation of believers?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your Church—our mother in the faith. Thank you for the nourishment, protection, and love she gives through your Spirit. Help me to honor her, serve her, and help her grow strong and radiant. Thank you also for the mothers and spiritual mothers who have shaped my life. Bless them richly. Amen.
