On coming out, he would tell the children of Israel all
that had been commanded. Then the children of Israel would see that the skin of
Moses’ face was radiant; so he would again put the veil over his face until he
went in to converse with the LORD. Exodus 34:34B-35
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet
him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my
brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God
will give you.” John 11:20-21
Piety
Rule of Saint Benedict (Chapter 48. The
Daily Manual Labor 10 – 13)
From the first of October to the beginning of Lent, the brothers ought to
devote themselves to reading until the end of the second hour. At this time
Terce is said and they are to work at their assigned tasks until None. At the
first signal for the hour of None, all put aside their work to be ready for the
second signal. Then after their meal they will devote themselves to their
reading or to the psalms.
Study
If you ask most
Christians, they probably remember the story of Mary and Martha when Jesus came
to see them. That is the story where
Martha busied herself with hospitality while Mary, the contemplative, “has
chosen the better part.” However, the primary story today is the other major
appearance of Martha and Mary.
Despite the busy-ness
that concerned Martha, we see the level of her faith in the resurrection and
the life. When Martha heard that Jesus
was coming, she went out to meet him.
Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, she was SO EAGER for
the encounter, despite being in grief over the death of her brother, she left
the house and ran to meet Jesus.
After a death in a
Jewish family, relatives observe a stage called shiva, a week-long
period of grief and mourning. During this period, mourners traditionally gather
in one home and receive visitors. They
do not run outside and greet people who are coming to see them in their
grief. Once outside with the Lord, we
then encounter the faith of Martha that is at least as deep, if not deeper,
than that of her sister. Maybe what we see in this story is Martha choosing the
better part this time.
Mary and Martha teach
us two sides of a life rooted in faith and hope. The best part may be when we can get both
halves to come together into a holistic life of faith.
The combination of
what happens to Martha and Moses in today’s readings send an important message
to us. When they encounter the Lord, the
changes that they experience are striking.
They change physically AND spiritually.
Martha and Moses reveal the fruits of not just the encounter with the
Lord but also what happens when you actually listen and act upon what that
encounter reveals. That
growth in listening to God and the people of God and being an important
intermediary facilitates conversations between God and people – and conversions
between God and people.
Action
Martha (and Mary) and Moses (and Benedict) help us to
focus our spirituality on how we use our time each day. There is a time for
working and a time for praying. There is
a time for encountering the Lord and a time for bringing that message to the
people in our community. We can focus on
having a healthy and supportive relationship in community like the family of
Mary and Martha and Lazarus.
How will you use your time today? How will you break it up into the proper
roles and duties at the proper time?
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