Today’s Theme for Prayer – Jesus Makes Me His Intimate Disciple
How Do I Gain Deeper Personal Knowledge of God
The person who loves God values knowledge of God more than anything created by God, and pursues such knowledge ardently and ceaselessly.) St. Maximus the Confessor
Martha’s Anxiety, Mary’s Peace
Luke 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 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.”
Grace Prayed For
The grace to prioritize time spent in prayer and contemplation with Jesus, allowing Him to be the center of our lives, so that all our actions flow from that place of deep connection and love.
Reflection
Martha’s bustling anxiety resonates within me. How often do I find myself caught in the whirlwind of doing, striving, and worrying, just like her? I see myself in her, fretting over the perfect meal, the spotless house, the endless to-do list, all while neglecting the quiet presence of Jesus. He gently calls her name, “Martha, Martha,” a tender rebuke echoing in my own heart. It’s as if He’s saying, “Slow down, child. Breathe. I am here.”
And then there’s Mary, a beacon of serene focus. She sits at Jesus’ feet, drinking in His words, her heart attuned to His presence. I yearn for that stillness, that ability to simply be with Him, to listen without the internal chatter of my own anxieties. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a symphony of love, constantly inviting me into deeper communion. They whisper, “Come, rest in our embrace. Let us fill you with peace.” This “better part” that Mary chose, it isn’t a rejection of service, but a recognition of what truly sustains us. It’s a reminder that true service flows from a heart overflowing with love for God. It’s in those quiet moments, when I’m still and present with Jesus, that I am truly nourished and empowered to live out my calling.
Growing in Intimacy/Union with Jesus
This passage reveals Jesus’ gentle and compassionate heart. He doesn’t condemn Martha’s service, but He gently guides her toward a deeper understanding of what truly matters. He desires our presence more than our perfect performance. By choosing to sit at His feet, like Mary, we acknowledge His importance in our lives and open ourselves to His love and guidance. It’s in these moments of quiet communion that we truly come to know Him, to understand His heart, and to experience the transformative power of His presence.
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post