In His presence

16th Sunday Of Ordinary Time, Year C

Today’s Gospel story is unique to Luke’s Gospel and follows last week’s story of the Good Samaritan. Both stories point out how a follower of Christ should aim to fulfil Jesus’ command which begins chapter 10; love of God (Mary) and love of neighbour (the Samaritan). These are the two essentials of life in the Kingdom. By using the examples of a Samaritan and a woman Jesus is saying something more to us, let’s see why.

 Jesus was welcomed into the home of Mary and Martha for a meal. Mary immediately sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. Martha started to prepare all the things needed for the meal, she was too busy to listen to Jesus. Finally, she went to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!” Jesus answered, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.” While we initially may feel sorry for Martha who was left to do all the work, on reflection we can see that a balance is needed in our Christian lives, between selfless love and service and the need to be attentive and listen to the Word of God. There is no opposition between the ‘busy-ness’ of Martha and the contemplation of Mary, one is not better than the other. We need to acknowledge them both. Jesus was not dismissing the actions of Martha but was emphasizing that Mary had chosen the better role of disciple. During the time of Jesus it was the men who usually sat at the Master’s feet listening to his teaching. Male and female roles had strict boundaries, just like the relationship between Jews and Samaritans (they hated each other). Mary is remarkable for crossing the boundaries, she boldly did what only the men were allowed to do; she sat at the feet of Jesus. In praising Mary, Jesus is encouraging women to move out of their cultural place and become a disciple.

Often we are so busy with everyday activities that we struggle to be still and quiet, to “sit at Jesus’ feet.” Ask yourself which person are you like, Mary or Martha? How could you balance your life in a way that you can give your undivided attention to Jesus for maybe 10-15 minutes each day? Do you find family commitments distract you from God? Try to make time this week to spend regular time reading Scripture and praying, maybe without words, fixing your heart on Jesus. This Gospel calls for a balance in our lives, last week’s finishes with the words “Go and do the same yourself” we can learn from them both.

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 10:38-42) 

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. Often we reply when questioned “How are you?” by saying we are very busy! Worry, stress and anxiety are common symptoms of family life. Try to think about your “busy-ness” and see if there is a way to find time to be alone with God each day, even if it is 10 minutes.
  4.  Talk about boundaries with your family, some boundaries are good but others are set up for the wrong reasons and can be hurtful and cause unjust separation. Explain that in this Gospel Jesus breaks down a barrier that kept women from being disciples.
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare;
    i. The Bible reading from St Luke (Lk10: 38-42)
    ii. A candle
    iii. Cover the table with a green cloth
    v. A computer/laptop with the readings and clips
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested).
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊 

In today’s Gospel we hear about two sisters, Mary and Martha who had a visit from a very special friend, Jesus. During the visit Mary learned an important lesson, that Jesus wants us to spend time with him.

  • That Jesus wants us to spend time with him.
  • Jesus wants us to stay close to him and to listen to his words
  • A Children’s Bible

One day Jesus arrived at a village called Bethany where two sister’s called Mary and Martha lived, they were friends of Jesus as was their brother Lazarus. Martha invited Jesus into their house. Mary sat down next to Jesus’ feet to listen to his words but Martha started preparing for the meal and was very busy serving. Martha became upset because Mary was not helping her. Mary just sat down close to Jesus listening and spending time with him. Martha even told Jesus to tell Mary to help her as she was doing all the work herself! “Please tell her to help me,” said Martha to Jesus.

Have you ever been upset because something didn’t seem fair to you? Maybe you felt like your brother or sister didn’t have as many chores around the house as you did. Or that you were working harder at something than someone else when it was a shared activity. It is hard not to compare ourselves with others, but we should always concentrate on ourselves and that what we are doing is pleasing Jesus. 

Jesus tells Martha not to worry about all the preparations and that it is more important for her to stop and listen to what he is saying and to stay close to him just as her sister Mary was.

Martha was missing out on something unlike Mary who was sitting peacefully near Jesus. Mary wanted to listen to Jesus and hear every word he said so she could become more like him. Martha was far off from Jesus and she was not at peace like Mary because she was so busy. Jesus told Martha and he is telling us, that we need to stop and listen to Jesus’ words, he was not angry with Mary but was happy that she chose to listen to him. Jesus is happy with us when we stay close to him and listen to his words, we can do this by reading our Bibles and by saying our prayers.   

A way to be close to Jesus is to read about him in the Bible. This week find time to sit down and quietly read or listen to stories from a Children’s Bible in this way you are like Mary in today’s Gospel. Resting in Jesus’ presence.

Listen also to this song; Jesus Loves me.

Sign of the Cross

Dear God, thank you for your love. Thank you for the words in the Bible. Thank you for making us a part of your family. Help me to learn to spend time with you and to rest in your presence.

Amen

Today were hear about the day` Jesus visited the house of Mary and Martha and it reminds us of the importance of paying attention to Jesus and resting in His presence. We should keep our attention on what is important.

  • It is important that we don’t forget to make time for Jesus because we are so busy doing activities. Jesus wants our attention too.
  • Sometimes we need to stop and listen to God’s Word and to put God first.
  • One, small, empty, plastic water bottle
  • Glitter
  • Food colouring

Today Jesus teaches us an important lesson on how we should pay attention to God and not become distracted with other activities. Have you ever been trying to talk to someone who is in front of you, but they are too busy looking at their mobile phone to pay attention to you? 

How did it make you feel when someone else was too distracted to listen to you? When it happens to me I feel a bit sad almost as if I am invisible. It can be frustrating and disappointing when it happens. On the other hand have you ever been so distracted with something new that you forgot to pay attention to a friend? I think it happens to all of us from time to time. Today’s Gospel tells a story about a woman who became distracted even when Jesus was in her home!

Jesus went to the house of his friends Mary and Martha one day for dinner. Martha was very busy preparing the food, whilst Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to his words. Martha was upset because she had so much work to do and Mary wasn’t helping at all. It doesn’t sound fair does it?

But Jesus told Martha that there was only one thing that was important, and that Mary had chosen it. Mary had chosen to be close to Jesus and to listen to him. Martha was concerned about all the details needed to be carried out for the dinner, she wasn’t thinking about Jesus as she was very distracted. Jesus was not saying that cooking or working in the house is bad. He was only showing Martha and Mary that we need to put God first in everything. A way of keeping God first is going to Mass especially on a Sunday. Another way is to say your prayers every day when you wake up, before you eat and when you go to bed. Whenever you do something, say a small prayer first. Offer your game or work or whatever you are doing for the glory of God.  

A good way to rest in God’s presence is to stay quiet and think about Jesus and to read his Word in the Bible. Maybe you would like to make your own ‘reflection bottle’ to help you concentrate on Jesus. It’s very easy to make.

Carefully pour some glitter into an empty plastic water bottle, you can use any colour you like. Then fill the bottle with water, add a little food colouring and close with the bottle top.

Make sure it is closed properly as now you are going to shake the bottle and watch. It is peaceful to watch the glitter as it swirls around the bottle, it will help you to focus your thoughts and you can quietly say some prayers or read a story from the Bible. In this way you are making time for Jesus!

Listen to the song; 10,000 Reasons.

Sign of the cross.

Dear Jesus, help me to remember that you are the most important thing in our lives. Help me not to be too busy and distracted with other things that I forget to spend time with you.

Amen.

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How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.