Mothering Sunday: It Takes a Village

"It takes a village, not a Batman." - Batgirl

In The Lego Batman Movie , one character I respect very much, Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl), says something powerful:

"It takes a village, not a Batman."

Her point is that if Gotham City truly wanted to rid itself of crime, it couldn’t just rely on Batman running around beating up bad guys. The whole city needed to be involved in making it a better place.

Today is Mothering Sunday, a day when we celebrate all the mother figures who have had a significant impact on our lives. This can be a tricky day to speak on because, for some, it’s a joyous occasion, while for others, it brings painful memories or highlights difficult realities.

Much of the mixed emotions we feel about Mothering Sunday come from the way we’ve placed the responsibility for our care onto one person: the mother. Of course, there are many amazing mothers out there, and we should certainly be thanking them today. But it’s also important to remember that they don’t have to do it all alone.

Raising children is one of the most important and challenging jobs, but it requires a team effort. Some mothers have lots of support around them, while others might feel like they’re going it alone.

Mothering Sunday was originally a celebration meant to remind mothers that help is available. It was a reminder for all of us—whether we’re mothers or not—that we each play a role in supporting the mothers around us. According to the BBC, centuries ago, people would return to their "mother" church once a year, in the middle of Lent, to see their mothers and the other people who helped raise them. It was a time to acknowledge that parenting is not a solo endeavor but a community effort.

In the Bible, we see a similar idea illustrated through the life of Moses. Today’s passage shows us that motherhood isn’t just about biological mothers—it’s about those who nurture, protect, and care for others, even in difficult circumstances. Moses had three key mother figures in his early life, each of whom provided something vital for his survival and future role in leading the Israelites.

Let’s look at these three women and what they teach us about motherhood.

1. Moses’ Biological Mother

Moses’ biological mother shows us the pain and sacrifice that come with parenthood. She loves her son dearly but is forced to give him up to save his life, a heart-wrenching decision. This is especially poignant on Mothering Sunday, which can be a day of joy for some but also a day of grief for others—those who have lost children, parents, or never had the chance to become parents themselves. Motherhood is filled with both joy and heartache, and Moses’ mother’s actions reflect the deep love and sacrifice that many mothers experience.

2. Moses’ Sister

Moses’ sister demonstrates the patience and perseverance that are essential in motherhood. We don’t know how long she sat by the river, watching over Moses, but we do know that it couldn’t have been easy. As a mother or caregiver, there are moments when you must wait, often in uncertainty, trusting that things will work out. This patience is a key part of parenting—and not just for biological mothers.

Sometimes, the sense of helplessness and uncertainty is even harder when you’re not the mother yourself. Whether you’re a teacher, aunt, or a friend, there are times when you’re caring for a child and feeling like you can’t make things better. Still, you sit with them, offering your presence and your patience.

3. Pharaoh’s Daughter

Pharaoh’s daughter is another mother figure who offers Moses what the others couldn’t: security and stability. She provides a safe home, a place to live, and the physical resources that Moses needs to survive. In today’s world, providing for children is a huge challenge. With all the pressures on time, money, and attention, it’s not always possible to give children everything they need. Yet, Pharaoh’s daughter’s act of care teaches us that even if we can’t provide everything, we can still offer what we have—our love, support, and care.

The Village of Support

Moses’ survival and future leadership were made possible by these three women who each gave him what they could. Together, they formed the "village" that nurtured him.

In the same way, we must recognize that motherhood, while incredibly important, doesn’t need to be a solo endeavour. Mothers need support—from their families, their communities, and from each other. As a community, we have a role to play in helping mothers be the best they can be.

What does this mean for us today?

• If you’re a mother, know that we see and appreciate everything you do, and we’re here to support you.

• If you’re not a mother, consider what you can do to support the mothers around you—whether it’s offering a listening ear, helping out with practical tasks, or simply acknowledging the hard work they do.

  
  

God as Our Nurturer

Finally, one last thought. In the Bible, God is often referred to as our Father, but He also displays motherly qualities. Jesus said,

“How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matthew 23:37).

Just as Moses had three mother figures, we all have a God who nurtures us. He is the ultimate model of care and love—a perfect parent who shows us what true mothering looks like.

In the Old Testament, God is called by many names, and each of these names reflects the nurturing care He provides:

• Jehovah Osemu – God our Maker (Psalm 95:6)

• Jehovah Shammah – God who is there (Ezekiel 48:35)

• Jehovah Jireh – God will provide (Genesis 22:14)

These names reflect the qualities we see in Moses’ three mother figures—creation, presence, and provision.

As we celebrate Mothering Sunday, let’s remember that it takes a village to raise a child. Let’s be the support system for the mothers around us, and let’s look to God as the ultimate model of love and care.