News from the Pews

 Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ. I cannot believe that we are in the month of   July 2023 already!

 We are now in what the Church Calendar calls ‘Ordinary Time’ which comes after   Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost, and it is also the time between Trinity Sunday   and Christ the King. It is a period of time from the end of May to the beginning of   December. Our lectionary readings at this time focus on the person and work of   Jesus Christ and how we as Christians and the Church live out our calling by     responding as Christ disciples to His mission in the world.

This period in the Church calendar is a time of growth. Growing in our faith and trust in Christ. In our discipleship, growing spiritually and in our relationship with Christ and with each other and it is no co-incidence that green is the liturgical colour for our churches during this time to reflect the theme of growth.

This is also the time when many of us will be going on holiday for that long overdue rest we have been looking forward to. And it is in “REST” that I want to focus on this month. This is something that we all need to refresh and to re-energise ourselves. But it is also an opportunity for us to forget our everyday routines and spend some time in prayer and meditation and be still in the presence of God.

Remember the wonderful story of Mary and Martha, where Jesus turns up at their home, with his disciples, on route to Jerusalem. Martha goes into full blown hospitality mode, busy with the task of being a perfect host for Jesus and His disciples. Mary on the other hand sits by Jesus’ side, listening to him as he talks… she’s happy to just be in his presence. Martha understandably is a bit annoyed about this, after all she is doing all the work of providing a meal.... but Jesus gently rebukes her by saying “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.” (Luke 10:41-42) Martha is worried and distracted, she is unable to focus on Jesus, and she is letting other priorities get in the way of spending quality time with him, whereas Mary’s focus is solely on Jesus.

Of course, we all need to be both Martha and Mary, having one without the other would mean that either no tasks get done or we would not be spending time with Jesus in prayer or reading our Bible. It is not one or the other, but both... There are times where if we have been busy being a Martha, we need to take a leaf out of Mary’s book and be still and rest in Jesus.

During this holiday season, let us instead of being distracted with the things of this world, focus our minds and hearts on the one who is always with us and who is beckoning us to sit down by his feet, for He says “...Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). Have a peaceful and restful summer.

God’s blessing and Grace always

Reverend Olasupo Ogunyinka.