choosing the better part

Good afternoon friends,
This week we focus on women in the New Testament. Our passage for today is a favorite of mine because it reminds me of two important instincts we have. We want to sit and listen and we want to get things done for other people. How do we make time to sit at Jesus' feet?

God bless,
Sam


Luke 10:38-42
³⁸Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; ⁴²there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

annointed in Bethany

Good afternoon brothers and sisters,
Today's reading brings us almost to the end of Jesus journey to Jerusalem. Jesus has recently raised Lazarus from the dead and pauses on the way to Jerusalem for a meal with his friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. The darkness is growing and we know Jesus' death is coming quickly. Even with that backdrop, there is space for love and beauty.
Blessings as you seek the beauty in your journey,
Sam

John 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. ²There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. ³Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. ⁴But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ⁵“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” ⁶(He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)

⁷Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. ⁸You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” ⁹When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. ¹⁰So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, ¹¹since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

first things first

Good morning friends,
Today's reading reminds us that we need to make time to just sit at Jesus' feet and listen. Our culture is so busy we can easily get overwhelmed by all the things we feel like we have to do. Many of the things we do are important, but it's also important to make time to just be. We are beloved children of God no matter how far we are on our "to do" list. Take time, slow down, rest in the master's hand.

God bless,
Sam

Luke 10:38-42

³⁸Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; ⁴²there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”