A bruised reed he will not break, a soldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory and in his name the Gentiles will hope.
(Matthew 12:20-21)
My Jesus, you came quietly and humbly, healing those who followed you, but telling them not to reveal you. Hope of the Gentiles, I walk behind you, leaving no footprint, respecting your creation. Now that you have revealed yourself to all people, give me the words to proclaim your death and resurrection.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
(Luke 10:41-42)
What makes me “anxious and worried about many things” today, Lord? It was not the work itself which kept Martha from “the better part,” but her attitude towards it. She felt burdened and resented her sister for being so absorbed in you that she didn’t notice anything else. Indeed, she accuses you of not caring. Your admonition to her is gentle. You teach her (and us) that fussing and fretting prevent us from listening to you. If we cannot drop everything and sit at your feet, we can still hear you. Our thoughts and feelings are what distract us.
Have I resented anyone for seeming closer to you than I am? I don’t always remember that we are one in you. If I were Martha, what might I have done differently? If I needed my sister’s help, I could have asked her directly, or just signaled her so as not to interrupt her. I might even have paused between chores to listen with her. Whatever I do today, Lord, please make me attentive to you.