July 29, 2014

Martha

July 29, 2014:   St. Martha

Readings
  • Ps 79:8-9, 11, 13  "For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us."  We're brought low.  Deliver us and pardon our sins.  Then we'll give thanks to you forever.
  • Jn 11:19-27  When Martha heard Jesus was coming, she went to meet him.  Martha / Jesus:  “Lord, if you'd been here, my brother wouldn't have died.  But I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” / “He'll rise.” / “I know,in the resurrection.” / “I am the resurrection; whoever believes in me will live, and anyone who believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” / “Yes, Lord.  I believe you are the Christ, the one who is coming into the world.”
  • Lk 10:38-42  Jesus entered a village where Martha welcomed him.  Her sister Mary sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him.  Martha / Jesus:  “Lord, don't you care that my sister left me by myself to serve?  Tell her to help me.” / “Martha, you're anxious about many things, but only one is needed.  Mary has chosen the better part and it won't be taken from her.”
Wordle: Readings 7-29-14
Top words of all four of today's readings
Music
Reflections
    • Back to Sunday!  Thanks to ACC colleague Eileen O'Brien for telling me about a homily of Fr. Curtis Bryant, S.J. on Sunday's gospel:  We are the 'buried treasure' and 'pearl of great price' that God bought with his Son!  Stedman echoes this, controversially at the expense of more traditional interpretations.
    • Creighton:  The encounter with Jesus is a real one with a loving God who calls us to new life.  Jesus calls Martha to be present.  Jesus invites us to true presence and real life.  Resurrection is both now and later.  Don't let daily burdens steal the present moment.  Jesus invites Martha, and us, to not let good things stand between her and something better.
      St. Martha, from
      the Isabella Breviary
    • One Bread One Body:  Many Christians feel alone in their service like Martha did. Martha complained to Jesus that he should get her help.  When we ask him for a helper, he may not send anyone; maybe we should "not do something but sit there."  After being alone with Jesus, we may have the strength to serve alone, or see God raise up helpers.
    • Passionist:  Small seeds grow together into beautiful plants or unspeakable evil.  May we sow good seeds through acts of compassion, forgiveness, work towards unity...
    • DailyScripture.net:  Martha believed in the resurrection.  Jesus offers God's abundant life.
      • Universalis:  Martha was the sister of Mary of Bethany and Lazarus.  In the West, her feast is a week after Mary Magdalene's because of the old and likely incorrect tradition that the Marys were the same.  But we forget Lazarus who died, was raised, and had to die again... See Catholic Encyclopedia.
      Apparel
      • 'Eyeball' tie pin, [tear]drop pin:  Let my eyes stream with tears (1st reading)
      • 'Peace sign' 'suspender bar' (repurposed tie bar; call me a fashion iconoclast :-):  We wait for peace, to no avail (1st reading)
      • 'Sheep' tie bar:  we, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you (psalm)
      • 'Feet' tie:  Mary sat at the Lord's feet (gospel)
      • 'Question mark' tie pin:  Jesus' to Martha, Martha's to Jesus (gospels)
      • White shirt:  color of St. Martha's memorial
      • 'Pearl' suspender bar (see Sunday for 'pearl side'):  Fr. Bryant's homily on Sunday's gospel
      Special greetings to and prayers for the communities at...
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