Create a peaceful space to pause, and allow yourself to feel God’s presence alongside you, as near to you as your own breath. In following the reflection below, as a church we will draw closer to God and to one another as we grow in faith and deepen our sense of belonging to God.
Luke 10: 38-42 ‘Jesus Visits Martha and Mary’
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked,
‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself?
Tell her then to help me.’41 But the Lord answered her,
‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’
‘Role Play’
Martha and Mary: two different sisters. Each one had a distinct and identifiable role to play in their relationship with Jesus. Martha was busy, easily distracted, anxious, troubled and sometimes cross. She was also very practical and probably a very good cook. Mary had the pastoral gift of being a good listener. She ‘sat at the foot of Jesus’ which indicates her devoted discipline.
Many people at present are having to adjust to a change in their usual roles. For some it may even involve ‘role-reversal’. This may be welcoming or challenging. It requires both adaptability and flexibility.
Parents, hospital and care workers, teachers, volunteers, office workers and manufacturers are among many who are having to get used to new responsibilities. Some ‘carers’ now find themselves to be ‘patients’. Others face unemployment, and others suddenly, unexpected bereavement. Let us also not forget our ministers, Paul, Memona, and Andy, and the various role adjustments they are having to make for our benefit.
Of course, every community, every church, has some natural ‘Marthas’ and some ‘Marys’ and some who seemingly can quite easily combine both roles. So, let’s remember the busy ‘Martha’ folk having to adapt to more of a ‘Mary’ role (and vice versa). And let us be thankful for all whose various roles at this time make a much-valued contribution to our lives and the lives of others.
Prayer:
(a Prayer of Intent from the Methodist Covenant Service)
I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
exalted for you, or brought low for you;
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing;
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. AMEN.
Image: © 2002-2020, ROOTS for Churches Ltd.
Reflection © 2020 Gordon Harrison.
Prayer from The Methodist Worship Book © 1999 Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes.
A printable version of this Daily Devotional can be downloaded from here
All material reproduced by permission under CCL 1226356