Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Praise
God, our judge and saviour,
teach us to be open to your truth
and to trust in your love,
that we may live each day
with confidence in the salvation
which is given through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Psalm 130
Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice;
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
If you, Lord, were to mark what is done amiss,
O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you shall be feared.
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him;
in his word is my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord,
more than the night watch for the morning,
more than the night watch for the morning.
O Israel, wait for the Lord,
for with the Lord there is mercy;
With him is plenteous redemption
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Reading
Luke 10.38-42
Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 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.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’
Reflection
Lord, do you not care?
Every time I read this passage, these five words leap off the page at me! How can anyone ask Jesus such an absurd question: Lord, do you not care?
The whole of Jesus’ earthly ministry was one of love and service. Jesus, as we know, was to give his own life for the good of humanity. How could anyone ever ask Jesus: Lord, do you not care?
Of course, Martha’s question is not rooted in her perception of Jesus. Rather, it stems from the frustrations she is experiencing in her daily life. Everyone has a different set of priorities; everyone sees the world in a slightly different way. Even when some of us feel the need for immediate action, others will see the same situation as demanding a more laid-back and contemplative approach. Martha is clearly a ‘doer’, while her sister, Mary, adopts a very different approach.
I think it is important for us to acknowledge that both approaches to life are valid. They each have a value when applied appropriately. But, therein lies the problem. How do we know when it is appropriate to pause, and how do we know when the better way to proceed is to take the path of decisive action?
The answer to that question lies in prayer. In order that we might make wise choices, we need to pray … and then we need to listen. So often our prayers are rooted in a certainty that leaves no room for God. Our prayers are filled with personal needs and requests for justification that we have already made the right decisions.
Today’s reading shows us the frustration of living alongside those who do not see the world as we do. Let us pray for tolerance and understanding. Let us pray that we might set aside our worldly certainty and, in all humility, seek the wisdom that comes from God alone. Let us pray that, no matter how busy our lives might be, we may make space to listen to God’s reply to our prayers … even if that reply is one of challenge and change.
Prayers of intercession
Let us pray to the Lord who through his word teaches us to pray.
Grant that the Church, the Body of Christ, may be in all things worthy of its Head. As we are reconciled through the Cross, make us reconcilers and messengers of his peace.
Be merciful to a world where so many are too concerned with the business of life to care for the things of the spirit. Give to those in places of authority the revelation of Christ as Lord of all, that he may rule in their hearts and direct their power into the way of love.
Give grace to us in our families to share the burdens of work and to be concerned for the needs of others. Give us the blessing of quietness, and time for recollection to be close to you.
Have mercy on all whose burden of work is heavy. Be with those who have no work, comfort their despair and guide them to find the employment that they desire.
We remember the departed who rest from their labours. Grant them peace through the blood of the Cross.
That we may always choose the better part, we pray in the name of Christ.
Prayer for the week
Lord and heavenly Father,
make us mindful of your presence with us;
that we may draw near to you
with holy and humble hearts,
and offer prayers and praises
acceptable in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Grace
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen.
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