Wednesday 29th July – Memorial of St Martha

HE WANTS YOUR ATTENTION

Luke 10: 38-42

When I was a child, I was surprised at Christ’s response to Martha in today’s gospel reading because my young mind expected Jesus to ask Mary to help out with the service. Yet, each time I reflect on the passage, it becomes clearer that Jesus’ response is one that addresses not just Martha but all of us. Like Martha, we may have invited Jesus into our hearts and because of our earnest desire to please Him, we zealously busy ourselves serving Him so much that we fail to spend time sitting at His feet in Bible study and prayer. We can become so busy with church activities, youth programmes etc that we do not have time to listen to what Jesus is saying to us.

Today, Jesus tells us that as important as our service of God is, spending time to listen at His feet is even more important. In giving our full attention to our Lord, we learn how to serve Him better. Are you caught up in the web of so much activity that you are unable to spend time alone with Jesus? Listen to Him as he says: “You worry and fret about so many things, yet few are needed; indeed only one” (Lk 10:41).

As we celebrate St Martha today, let us welcome Him to our hearts, homes and communities like she did and let us commit ourselves to spending time with our Lord each day as she was taught by our Lord. In doing this, we will receive His grace and direction for our other activities.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please come into my heart. Help me to take delight in sitting at your feet each day so that I may be transformed more and more into your likeness. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 494 – How can my everyday routine be a school of prayer?

Everything that happens, every encounter can become the occasion for a prayer. For the more deeply we live in union with God, the deeper we understand the world around us.

HIDE A TREASURE: “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for you, O God.” Psalm 42: 1 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Exodus 34: 29-35; Psalm 99: 5-9; Luke 10: 38-42