Good morning…

Last week at our final Monthly Listening Group of the semester, we read aloud the Martha and Mary story (Luke 10:38-42). Since Wednesday morning, the story has continued to percolate in me.

The first time through the sacred reading, we looked at the story through the eyes of Martha. As I continue to personalize her experience, I am transformed.

At first I, Martha, feel honored to open my home to Jesus, but quickly I become distracted by all the preparations that “had to be made.” Taking my eyes off my guest, I jealously glare at my sister, who is sitting on the floor, wasting time with Jesus, expecting me to do everything. I feel taken advantage of, invisible, stuck in the kitchen. Frazzled I finally snap, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? TELL HER TO HELP ME!”

I don’t notice my “crazy” is running the show until Jesus’ loving eyes look directly into mine. Calmly he says, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things.” What? He is taking her side? I can’t believe it. But wait a minute, how does he know this angry resentment is only the tip of my inner iceberg? Compassionately he continues to teach me tender truth. “Few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I am stopped in my “take charge” tracks, silenced, humbled. Breathing my scattered thoughts down to my quiet soul, my awareness is open in a brand new way. In the light of God’s grace, I see the extreme ugliness of my controlling nature. In the clear mirror of kind honesty, I notice my self sufficiency melt into peaceful dependence.

The second time through the sacred reading, we looked at the story through the eyes of Mary. As I continue to personalize her experience, I am transformed.

I, Mary, am incredibly excited to have Jesus visit. Instinctively, I take his hand, I walk him into our living room, and I invite him to be at home on our couch. Like a child, I plop down at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. I lose myself in our conversation, completely mesmerized while time evaporates.

I don’t notice my sister hard at work in the kitchen until she bursts in the room and barks orders at Jesus. At first I cower and then I see. He looks past her “bull in a china shop” facade to tend to her anxious heart, flavoring truth with love. In the face of her ravaging rage, Jesus teaches me by example how to stay safely centered instead of closing off, self protecting. How does he know the words her heart craves? “You are distracted by all the preparations… worried and upset. Preoccupied, you are missing out. Listening attentively to me is indeed the only thing you need. If you trust me to calmly direct your day, my permanent peace will permeate you before my Spirit overflows in your home.”

Jesus is right. God’s everlasting peace will not be taken from us as long as we keep listening attentively.

…Sue…