I Met God Today

‘Martha, Martha ... you are worried and upset about many things’ Reflection on the Gospel Feast of Saint Martha - Luke 10:38-42 29 July 2020 Today, in the liturgy, we celebrate Saint Martha - sister of Mary and Lazarus and friend of Jesus. In these siblings, we see what friendship with Jesus means and how discipleship is lived. The sisters welcomed Jesus and offered hospitality, Martha busying herself by attending to meal preparation, Mary by paying full attention to listening to Jesus. Both loved Jesus who loved them. So close are they that, without hurting their friendship, Jesus can encourage Martha to look at things differently. Martha, Martha ... you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed indeed only one  (Luke 10:41-42). To me, Jesus is telling Martha that she is loved. That love is freely given, not hard-earned. Martha doesn’t need to worry. She doesn’t need to win Jesus’ friendship and love. Instead, being loved she can live from that reality - b...

"Stay with us, Lord Jesus, as evening falls" This prayer, that I've prayed so often, really struck me tonight. It says it all ! ... companionship of Jesus ... praying for His mercy to fill us with love, hope, unity ... and praying for the ability to know Him in the tables of the Word and the Eucharist - as happened at Emmaus! Stay with us, Lord Jesus, as evening falls: be our companion on our way. In your mercy inflame our hearts and raise our hope, so that, in union with our brothers and sisters, we may recognize you in the scriptures, and in the breaking of Bread. Who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen (from the Breviary - Evening Prayer, Monday)

Instructions for a life pleasing to God ~ from Micah Reading for Mass, Monday 20 July 2020 Micah 6:1-4, 6-8   Listen to what the Lord is saying:   Stand up and let the case begin in the hearing of the mountains and let the hills hear what you say.   Listen, you mountains, to the Lord’s accusation, give ear, you foundations of the earth, for the Lord is accusing his people, pleading against Israel:   My people, what have I done to you, how have I been a burden to you? Answer me. I brought you out of the land of Egypt, I rescued you from the house of slavery; I sent Moses to lead you, with Aaron and Miriam.   – ‘With what gift shall I come into the Lord’s presence and bow down before God on high? Shall I come with holocausts, with calves one year old? Will he be pleased with rams by the thousand, with libations of oil in torrents? Must I give my first-born for what I have done wrong, the fruit of my body for my own sin?’   – Wha...