O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. Matthew 23:37.

The Roman Catholic church commemorates Jesus weeping over Jerusalem as he entered the city from the East.

We make our way towards a tender Mother’s Day, recognizing separation in new ways and acknowledging that many in our community have recently lost their mothers.

Most recently, Ruth Stowe, long time member of Islington United Church, died peacefully at home with her daughters Mary Jane and Pamela. Ruth has been cremated and her funeral will be at a later date, but Mary Jane will be planting a perennial from Ruth’s garden in the Islington United memory garden.

Small actions this weekend —making a loved recipe that helps you remember, spending time outside, lighting a candle, looking at pictures, and sharing stories — help us stay connected to bigger stories of who we are and where we come from, both in joy and in struggle.

Mothering relationships are complicated. This is one reason why I love that scripture gives us hope in healing images of Jesus mothering as well as examples of strong women of faith, such as the parable of the bakerwoman (Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20-21).

My mom sent me this article, which reminded me that Mother’s day is not sentimental. Rather, it has faith-based, social justice roots — tying us to the strength and power of women working to care for each other, their communities and our world.