很多国家每年都拨出一天来，特别感谢和纪念母亲的一生和她的影响力，在美国和加拿大，今天就是庆祝母亲节的日子了。
在这一天，我们通常会纪念生育我们，或领养我们，或像母亲般待我们的人（例如阿姨或祖母），我们感谢和尊崇那些关顾我们和爱我们的人。
在神的家中，我们的关系也是基于爱和关顾。作为神家中的一份子，意味着我们承认一切都是神的爱和供应，我们也是藉着祂的恩典归信祂，以致与那些和神有同样关系的人连系起来，并且遵照神的吩咐，我们不断邀请和欢迎更多人进入祂的家。
在探讨初代教会发展的过程中，我们看到耶稣的母亲成为门徒约翰家中的人，她更成为约翰的“母亲”来照顾他。纵使衪正在受苦为我们偿还罪债，耶稣也要保证，他们之间这种彼此领养的关系，能成为他们将来的生活的基础。
我们切勿忘记，马利亚和约翰之间这个重要的连系。初代教会是以在基督里的彼此相爱见称的，在今天，惟愿我们也能够活出这个优美的传统。
父神啊，求祢帮助我们，因耶稣的缘故，在祢的家中活出爱心、好款待，和乐善好施的生命。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
约翰福音 19:25-27
25 站在耶稣十字架旁边的，有他母亲与他母亲的姐妹，并革罗罢的妻子马利亚和抹大拉的马利亚。
26 耶稣见母亲和他所爱的那门徒站在旁边，就对他母亲说：“母亲，看，你的儿子！”
27 又对那门徒说：“看，你的母亲！”从此，那门徒就接她到自己家里去了。
Jesus . . . said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. — John 19:26-27
In many countries at some time of the year there is a focus of gratitude and celebration for the life and influence of mothers. Today is such a day in the United States and Canada as we celebrate Mothers Day.
On this day we generally celebrate the mothers who gave us birth, or adopted us, or stood in a mother’s place for us (such as an aunt or grandmother). We give thanks for and rightly honor the people who have cared for us and loved us.
In God’s family the basis of our relationships is love and care as well. Being part of God’s family is about recognizing the love and provisions we receive from God, coming to faith by God’s grace, and then connecting with others who have a similar relationship with God—and inviting still others whom God wants us to welcome into his family.
As we learn about how the early church developed, we see that the mother of Jesus became part of the household of the disciple John. She also became a “mother” to John and took care of him. Jesus made sure that this relationship of mutual adoption framed their future even as he paid the ultimate price for all our sin.
Let’s not forget about this important link between Mary and John. The early church was noted for their love for one another in Christ. May we follow that example today too and live out that legacy.
Father God, in your family help us to live by love, hospitality, and generosity for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
