Thursday, March 18

Scripture for the Week: As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:38-42

Reflection – Peter Romersa

In this parable Martha was becoming frustrated by her sister, Mary, as Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet listening to him rather than taking part in the laborious dinner preparations that were being planned for the evening.

Surely we have felt during certain moments of busyness and haste while working with family members, or coworkers that maybe one person was doing more work than other people may have been doing. Maybe you've been frustrated that other people surely were not “pulling their own weight.” Or maybe you have been on the receiving end of such criticism.

Jesus’ lesson is clear. We need to take time out, not just for ourselves, but also to spend time with Jesus himself. Jesus recognizes the power of Sabbath. When you spend time with yourself, deep in prayer, mediation, and renewal, you also spend time with Jesus, the source of continuous peace, renewal, and rejuvenation for ever and ever.

To ponder and pray:

¨ How did you feel about that word “Stop?”

¨ What happens for you when you do slow down, or when you’re forced to stop?

¨ How do you define “rest?” What is restful for you?

¨ What most disturbs your rest?