Most gracious God, from your heart you gave birth to all creation, and through your Son, Jesus Christ, you gather up all your children under the shadow of your wings: Through maternal love may we obtain a foretaste of your unconditional and eternal love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Inspired by a Mother’s Day collect written by the Rev. Bryan Owen at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge. The photo shows my newspaper editor mother, Jean, who died in 2015, at her desk either at the Arizona Republic or Los Angeles Times. Extra Mother’s Day points to whomever can identify the aluminum container next to her mug. The Modigliani on the wall is so Jean!