In the reading for this week, we enter the house of Mary and Martha. One of them is doing the exact right thing in the wrong way, and the other is doing the wrong thing in the right spirit. We find ourselves in both of these situations, seeking to balance competing goods, competing needs. Here is the prayer offered by Debbonnaire Kovacs for our worship on Sunday. May it be a blessing and a strength.
Lord, for all the times we do the right thing in a backwards way, thank you. For all the times we do the “right thing” and manage to miss the point, forgive us. For all the times we don’t know what to do, help us act not out of hopelessness or helplessness, but out of what we know of true power: compassion that heals, wisdom that transcends, and actions that build others up refusing to diminish any. In that way may we strengthen the weak, heal the sick of mind, body and heart, and hold fast to all that is good. Give us backbones and flexibility, and help us know how to use both to speak justice and joy in this world. –Rev. Kent Gilbert
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