Readings for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
the word of God, the mystery hidden
from generations past: it is
Christ in you, the hope for glory.
Colossians 1:25-27
We all know the story of Martha and Mary
and most of us struggle much of our lives
to find the meaning: to reach the balance.
Our early lives are full of business ...
But Mary chose the better part: sitting, touching
the teacher, looking up through her eyes of Christ
to see God looking down in her friend Jesus.
Martha was busy - today it is preparing food,
yesterday cleaning, tomorrow helping her brother with his business. Busy - busy - busy and
secure in that, knowing she does all she can.
But Mary chose the better part: sitting, touching
the teacher, looking up through her eyes of Christ
to see God looking down in her friend Jesus.
No rest for Martha - following the rules, maybe
a little house-proud. No weed dared show itself
in her garden, no dust settled. Maybe even a little
superior comparing herself to her dreamer sister!
But Mary chose the better part: sitting, touching
the teacher, looking up through her eyes of Christ
to see God looking down in her friend Jesus.
So we rush through our lives, being significant,
leaving our world a little better - until the day
we grow to know that we too need to rest
with Jesus: to listen, see, breathe, and know.
For Mary chose the better part: sitting, touching
the teacher, looking up through her eyes of Christ
to see God looking down in her friend Jesus.
Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to you".
The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.
Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.
Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!
If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation try Luke 10:38-42 from today's Mass ...
Jesus entered a villageRe-read the passage or the meditation - maybe read it slowly aloud.
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me.”
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.”
Is there a word or phrase that jumps out to speak to you?
Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
Then spend 5, or 10, or 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word LOVE or GOD.
You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention).
You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds.
After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen.
Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).
You may need a countdown clock.
At the end thank God, and return to your day.
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