St Andrew’s – Trinity 5
On Sunday we welcomed Kevin Francis to lead our service with Alison playing the organ.
This Week
Tuesday 10.00 – Ecumenical Prayer group in the Garden Room
Thursday 10.00 – Said Eucharist followed by coffee in the hall
Sunday 10.00 – Sung Eucharist
Readings for next Sunday – Genesis 18:20-32, Colossians 2:6-15, Luke 11:1-13
Today’s readings – Genesis 18: 1-10, Colossians 1: 15-28, Luke 10:38-end
Our readings focused on hospitality and especially the story of when Jesus visited sisters, Mary and Martha. Although Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better way by sitting and listening to Jesus, Kevin presented a fresh way of looking at Martha who was so busy with providing food and who challenges Jesus: ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work? Tell her to help me.’ (Luke 10: 40)
Kevin said that we can probably all at times identify these feelings when we may feel upset and unappreciated for what we do.
Kevin also referred to the story when Martha went out to meet Jesus after their brother Lazarus had died, again challenging him, ‘Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died.’ We also may identify with Martha’s words when life is challenging & it seems that prayers are not answered. She expresses her feelings to Jesus. It can be helpful for us too to be open and honest before God when we feel hurt and let down.
However Martha then goes on to affirm her faith in Jesus. ‘But I know that even now, God will give you whatever you ask……..I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.’ (John 11: 21,24)
When Martha challenges Jesus about being left to do all the work, Jesus responds: ” Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’ (Luke 10:41)
Kevin explained that the use of a name twice like this is quite rare in the bible and in fact is used for those who are specially called such as Moses, Abraham, Samuel, Simon and Saul. Therefore it seems that Martha also has a special part to play in her honesty, faith and affirmation that Jesus is the Messiah.