Martha AND Mary

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 10:38-42

 “…A WOMAN NAMED MARTHA WELCOMED HIM INTO HER HOME…”

I want to welcome you

Into my home…yes

That I am good at

But more

Not just my physical surroundings

But the ALL of me

My thinking

My acting

My prayer

It might entail a little re-arranging;)

I’m ready

I hope

…be gentle…

“…SHE HAD A SISTER NAMED MARY, WHO SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET AND LISTENED TO WHAT HE WAS SAYING…”

Sisters!

Sisters are meant to be together

Siblings, families, friends

Not one versus the other

In conflict or competition

But bringing our unique gifts to bear on shared problems

…and shared concerns

Teach me to balance the eager do-er in me

With the listening learner

That being grounded in something other than myself

Will give fire and energy to my doing

 “…BUT MARTHA WAS DISTRACTED…”

There is always a ‘but’

A glitch

A hurdle

I think it is my over developed ‘Martha’

Busyness…it can be an addiction

Maybe my new distraction

Could be “Mary-Moments”

They are there to be had

Welcome them

“…THERE IS NEED FOR ONLY ONE THING…”

Sounds so simple

There may very well be only one thing at the top of the list

But the secondary ones

Are legion!

And they are loud!

They are pushy

They crowd out that one thing!

Keep rooted

Keep tethered

Stay in relationship

”…MARY HAS CHOSEN THE BETTER PART…”

So here I am

Giving you space and time

I visualize your feet

And your voice

I am quiet

I am listening

I am receptive