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Some things in the bible make me giggle...

"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." Luke 10: 41-42

 

Some things in the bible make me giggle – like in Matthew 4:2 after Jesus fasted for 40 days, He was hungry. When I hear this passage when Jesus says, "Martha, Martha..."  I get a flashback of a scene from the Brady Bunch where Jan is jealous and complains about her sister saying, "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia..."  Family jealousy can run deep.  As one of fourteen kids, I have seen it firsthand on many occasions. Jesus tries to correct Martha's perspective, just as my parents tried with my family.  But it is so important to listen.  Especially today with so much upset in the world.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could listen, to each other and the Lord? The first reading starts out saying that Moses did exactly as the Lord commanded.  I don't want the Lord to repeat my name or tell me to stop worrying.  I want to listen and do exactly what the Lord commands like Moses.  And quite often that means sitting at His feet like Mary to just listen; stop talking and listen.

 

Will you make time to sit at His feet and listen like Mary?

 

Lord, help us to give You time to be quiet and listen, to strengthen our walk to Courageously Live the Gospel.

 

Today's Reflection is by:

 

Martina VerPault

 

Did you know...

 

Tina VerPault was born and raised in Boston. Tina is one of the youngest of 14 children. She is blessed with 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren whom she loves dearly. A long-time parishioner of Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview, she has served as a parish secretary and director of religious education, as well as many other ministries, since 2003. Tina was commissioned as a Lay Pastoral Minister and encourages everyone who would like to deepen their knowledge of our faith through the LPMI at the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

For as long as I can remember, when people call out "Amanda!" in a public place I often think they're are calling out, "Fernando!" instead. It can be frustrating not knowing...

1 Samuel 3:8-9a

The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, "Here I am. You called me." Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth. So he said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'"

 

For as long as I can remember, when people call out "Amanda!" in a public place I often think they're are calling out, "Fernando!" instead. It can be frustrating not knowing who is trying to get your attention or if you're just mistaking what you heard. Samuel had to be feeling that frustration by the third time he came to see Eli. He wasn't used to listening for the voice of God so why would he think God was trying to get his attention? I think that's totally me sometimes. I forget that God doesn't always speak to His people in 'burning bush' moments. More often, He whispers to our soul. Take some time today to quiet your soul and listen for those whispers. Invite Him into you prayer time with those same words of Samuel; "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."