This Sunday has been known by several names over the years. Nowadays the vast majority of people would refer to it as 'Mother's Day' and a whole industry of cards and presents has grown up around it. Earlier times called it 'Refreshment Sunday' - a reference to it being a time to refresh the spirit during the rigours of Lent. And within the Church it is still often known as Laetare Sunday, from the first word of the Entrance Antiphon for the day - 'Rejoice'!
But the rejoicing that the Liturgy is speaking of is not a reference to that rather mawkish sentimentality that can pervade 'Mother's Day' but rather a reminder to us of the great celebrations that we are heading towards. These celebrations of Christ's death and resurrection are the foundations for our Christian hope and joy.

We live in a world that is obsessed with being happy, and a culture that seems to suggest that the more you acquire the happier you'll be. By learning to include others in our lives - and the focus on mothers can help small children to begin that process of inclusion - we can imbibe the important lesson that happiness is not something that can be achieved alone. Jesus didn't die to please himself but to save the human race, and it is through his cross and resurrection that we have been set free to live life to the full.