{"id":23068,"date":"2025-01-29T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/urc-daily-devotion-29-january-2025"},"modified":"2025-01-29T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T06:00:00","slug":"urc-daily-devotion-29-january-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/urc-daily-devotion-29-january-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"URC Daily Devotion 29 January 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

St Luke 10: 38 – 42<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Now as they went on their way, he 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\u2019s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, \u2018Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.\u2019 But the Lord answered her, \u2018Martha, 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.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re someone who has many burdens laid on them, who feels as if you\u2019re the only one doing the work, then it is easy to see yourself in this story \u2013 even down to the lashing out at those whom you love. If you\u2019re someone who spends time in contemplation and reflection, then this passage might resonate because you may have felt yourself belittled and chastised because others don\u2019t think that you pull your weight.<\/p>\n

In reading this passage, it is all too easy to jump to the conclusion that one type \u2013 the reflective and meditative type exemplified by Mary \u2013 is better than the busy and hardworking type that is exemplified by Martha. Jesus is obviously making a distinction between the sisters, but it can in no way suggest that there is only one way to behave whatever the time or situation. If that were the case, then very little, if anything would ever be achieved at all.<\/p>\n

We should be wary of trying to distinguish and classify different ways of being faithful. There is a place for reflection and contemplation, just as there is a place for action. Neither is good in isolation, and neither is to be seen as being superior.<\/p>\n

It is not what we do, per se, that is the problem, but it is the motivation behind our action that reveals our heart. It was not that Martha was busying herself preparing food and exercising hospitality that was an issue, for surely Jesus would have appreciated whatever provision was given to him.<\/p>\n

What was a problem however, was that Martha seemed to be more caught up in the doing, in the fulfilment of the role of hostess, than she was in the actual care of her guest. Martha was not aware of what Jesus wanted, she was only aware of what she thought she had to do.<\/p>\n

William Barclay draws our attention to this tendency to \u2018decide that we have to do something\u2019 that is in us all. He says, \u201cSo often we want to be kind to people \u2013 but we want to be kind to them in our way.\u201d <\/p>\n

This is a dangerous way to model our actions and we need to guard against it. Whenever we seek to care for others, we truly need to look to their needs and not our own.<\/p>\n

Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Loving God,
Help us to reflect your compassionate heart in our lives. 
Help us to truly look out for others\u2019 needs
and not simply give them what we think will be best for them.
May we give as we have ourselves received,
without prejudice, and without expecting anything in return.
In Jesus\u2019 name, we pray.
Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

St Luke 10: 38 – 42 Now as they went on their way, he 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\u2019s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; … <\/p>\n

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