Focus On What Is Most Important

Recently the story of Martha and Mary featured as the Sunday Gospel reading. Whilst it is a familiar passage, Jesus' response to Martha's complaint remains somewhat surprising. Jesus had arrived at the home of Mary and Martha, and Martha is busy getting everything ready for the honoured guest. Mary on the other hand is simply paying attention to Jesus, sitting at his feet listening to everything he says. It reminds me of my own sibling rivalry where my brother and sister and I would often argue as to whose turn it was to do the dishes. Surely it should be Martha who is commended for doing all the work, but instead it is Mary for taking time to listen and pay attention to what Jesus is saying.

I remember as a young curate given much freedom by my training vicar, who would insist on only one thing, that I attend morning and evening prayer each day. The mornings were not a problem, but the afternoons I found challenging. Invariably I was in the middle of a home visit or some other activity and realising the time would rush over to church, just making it in time for prayer. Often, I would be irritated by the interruption.

I think it was more than a year into my curacy when I realised that prayer should interrupt our daily activities and be an essential part of our routine. We may feel we are doing important work, and all manner of good things for God, but if we don't take time to actively engage with God then it is all rather futile.

Martha, we are told, was distracted by many things, and it is very easy for us to be distracted. Could God be inviting you to take a break and take time out to pray, and listen and simple connect? Perhaps there is a need in our busy lives to re-set and to re-evaluate on what is really important.

Rev. Tony Rindl, Vicar of St. Leonard's

Future service dates for your diary:

• September 14th there will be Messy Church with crafts, bible stories and food for children.
• September 28th is Back to Church Sunday
• October 5th is Harvest Festival

Our Folk

Roger and Pauline Griffiths thank everyone for helping them celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

Pray for the sick at home, in hospital or in residential care:

• Pat Musgrove
• Ethel Gough
• Roy Allen
• Jean Burnard
• Shirley Mellish
• Dorren Rose
• Shirley Evers
• Leslie Farndon
• Beryl Robinson
• Vicky Spedding
• Avril Warwood

RIP

• Margaret Cuthbertson (a few months before her 101 birthday)
• Keith Holt