In 1997 I was privileged to travel to Israel with my late husband and 3 grown up children, the last holiday we took together as a family of 5. It proved to be a very special time and many memories live on.
On our second day in Jerusalem, we started off from the top of the Mount of Olives and walked down the steep hill, entrusting the care of 1 member of our party, who was wheelchair bound, to the care of the 2 young men in the group, one being my son. Fortunately, they didn’t let go of the wheelchair and the lady arrived safely at the bottom of the very steep hill!
En route we stopped at the church of Dominus Flevit, meaning ” The Lord weeps” and held a short act of worship there, remembering that Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. Built between 1953 and 1955 the church was designed by an Italian architect, Barluzzi, and is in the shape of a teardrop. It is one of the most beautiful churches in the Holy Land.
St Luke records Jesus’ words as he looked across at the city that was so dear to him,
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you are not willing” Luke 14 verse 34
When Jesus speaks about his relationship with God he always refers to God as a male father, but in these words he demonstrates his awareness of the maternal side of God’s love for his people, through himself as God’s son. Above the altar in the church of Dominus Flevit is a mosaic depicting a mother hen with her chicks, a beautiful reminder of the maternal, protective and comforting aspect of God’s character.
Looking back to the time of Isaiah, the prophet talks about Jerusalem being rebuilt after the exile and being consoled at the breast and on the lap of God’s love,
“And you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child so will I comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem”
Isaiah 66 v11 and v12- 13.
So the parenthood of God is clearly shown to have a feminine, maternal side in the Bible, although God is not explicitly referred to as a Mother. As we have looked in the last few TFTDs at the Fatherhood.of God we have considered the difficulty this image presents to those who have had bad experiences of their fathers. For some people these bad experiences have caused lasting damage and it is to these more maternal images of God as a nurturing, protective and comforting parent that they may need to turn.
In Catholic theology the emphasis on the self-giving motherhood of Mary can bring inspiration and comfort.
Prayer. Loving Lord, we ask you to help us as we grow in our understanding of your desire to reach out to us. Where earthly experiences have fallen short, may we look to the different ways your love for us is portrayed in the Bible.