I am up early this morning in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, where we’re visiting family. It’s about 4:30 as I begin to write this and I’m facing east, watching the sky grow orange at its base and ever brighter in its further reaches. The reservoir that lies about a football field away from the porch where I sit is slowly making its way into the light.
Sound is amplified by the expanse of water, so I’m hearing the world come alive for another day, too. A dog barks far across the water and the sound reaches my ears as if coming from a deep cave. A crow caw-caws. Several roosters are up and letting the rest of us know it. I’m just sitting here, taking it all in. I’ve got nothing better to do.
And as I read today’s Gospel reading from Luke 10, the well-known and commented-on story of Martha and Mary, I am reminded that this seeming “nothing to do” is the right thing to do. It is choosing the better, as Jesus tells the sisters:
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.”
Every day, like Mary, we get to choose to sit at the feet of the Lord and listen. Each day, we can sit amidst the glory of creation, welcoming another day and praising the Creator who made it and continues to make it anew. There will be time enough for us to let our “Marthas” out, time enough for the worries of the day, many hours ahead to do our work and bear our burdens.
But we begin by choosing the better part. The sun’s up. The geese are flying.
Grace + peace to you today.
8 comments On Choosing the Better Part
Thanks Steve.I read and thought about this passage this morning too. We don’t sit still and listen to God enough. Now He is making me do so. For this I must be grateful. Have a good time with your family. God bless
Pedro Arrupe, I believe, said he liked to waste time hanging out with God. I like this meditation. I too am an early riser. Thank you for this. Joan Kletzker
The older I get, the earlier I rise…
Thank you for all the reflections you have shared over the years I just read the latest one in Living Faith which I have been receiving , probably for30 yrs. You always “ hit nail on its head” Steve. May God continue to bless you with the gift of being able to share these reflections. peace to you
Thanks for writing, Liz, and thanks for reading and praying with Living Faith for so many years. It has been a blessing to me in so may ways to be involved in this ministry.
Thank you, as always. Peter. I hope you continue to heal and gain strength.
I meant to drop a note when you sent this out… It felt so similar to what I experience on my front porch right in Ferguson, MO early on summer mornings, facing east reading my devotions ; and taking walks pre-dawn and hearing owls conversing . I so enjoy all your reflections, and thank you for writing.
Thank you, Jean. Be well.