Scripture: He (Jesus) was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ 2 He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:Father, hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come.3 Give us each day our daily bread.4 And forgive us our sins,for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.And do not bring us to the time of trial.’ (Luke 11.1-4)ReflectionIf people know no other prayer, they very often know The Lord’s Prayer. Why is this Prayer so important, and how can we draw strength from it day by day? First of all, Jesus taught it. That makes it important for all who are at all interested in Jesus. Next, it is very concise and contains everything that is necessary. The first word turns us towards God as Father. ‘Hallowed’ means to make or keep holy. The ‘name’ is shorthand for all God’s divine qualities. God’s kingdom is the reign of everything that is right, just, kind and loving – forever. Our daily bread is having all our basic needs met. And in asking God to forgive our sins we also promise to do likewise to those who have hurt us in any way. A tall order, but a fair one. The ‘time of trial’ is the testing that we may not withstand, and so we ask God to spare us. By praying this Prayer we can shape our lives, always turning towards God who is pure Goodness, knowing that we will both have our material and spiritual needs met by our loving Father in the light of God’s eternal Kingdom. Revd Ylva
Scripture: 10.38 Now as they went on their way, he [Jesus] entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But 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.’ 41But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’ (Luke 10:38-end)ReflectionBoth Mary and Martha loved Jesus. Apart from being devout followers of Jesus, he had also brought their brother, Lazarius, back to life; they loved Jesus, they cared for him. They were both serving Jesus that day, just in very different ways. Mary was sitting listening to Jesus; Martha was busy, busy, busy doing things for Jesus. And Jesus says to Martha, that Mary has chosen the better thing to do; which, on first reading, sounds a bit harsh! Jesus doesn’t blame Martha for being really concerned about all the household chores – after all, they need doing; they are important. All he is asking her to do is to consider her priorities. She hadn’t realised that in her desire to serve – by “doing” – she has forgotten to just “be” and listen to Jesus. Are you so busy doing things for Jesus that you are neglecting spending time with Jesus? Revd David
