Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. [Then she got busy preparing a big meal.] Mary seated herself at the feet of Jesus, listening to
his words . . . Jesus said, “Mary has made the better choice … let
her remain ” Luke 10:38-42
REFLECTION
In a setting where most people would think Jesus should have praised
Martha for working so hard in the kitchen, Mary was the one who was praised for noticing that Jesus most of all wanted someone to listen to him . . . not someone to fuss over him with a fancy meal. December is a hectic time. Everyone seems to be pushed too hard, and have too many things to do. It is tempting to neglect quiet prayer because we are being driven on the fast lane of “everything’s got to be done by deadlines.” Let Mary of Bethany quiet you down, put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign, and allow you to sit, “listening to Christ’s words.”
MARY OF BETHANY SPEAKS TO YOU
“Blessed shall you be if you let God’s Christmas bring love gently into your consciousness. Never mind all those people who are fussing over preparations and pulling on you in so many directions. Get unfussed. Calm down for a good half-hour every day. Be there for Jesus. Now and then ignore the command: ‘Don’t just sit there—do something!’ Instead, follow this: ‘Don’t just do something—sit there.’ Sit there and listen to Christ’s words.”
PRAYER
Jesus, my Lord, put quiet back into my soul. Let feverish activity subside. I want to be more sensitive to the words you tell me … and much less sensitive to the “hurry ups” I hear. Christmas belongs to you, dear Lord. And so do I. Amen.