From the Pastor |
Tell me… what kind of week did you have? Was it calm and quiet… or busy, busy, busy… or somewhere in between? As usual… it was a very busy week for me. It seemed like I was on the go each and every day. There was always another place to go… another thing to do… You know… sometimes it seems like it is never ending and it can become overwhelming! The fast paced life we live… the chaos and busyness that drives us often causes us to forget what is important… not only for our sanity… but also for our faith. Many times… those things that pull at us… that distract us from God are not bad things. Even when we are working to serve God, we can become so caught up in the “doing” that we forget to take time to simply be with God. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10… this is the lesson we learn from Martha and Mary. Martha welcomed Jesus into her house, and then set out to be a good hostess. She was working hard to fulfill the custom of hospitality. She was doing good work… trying her best to serve Jesus… but as Luke tells us “Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” Her sister Mary did NOT go to the kitchen to help, but instead… “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” Needless to say… this made Martha pretty angry. Here she was, trying to serve and her sister has left her to do all the work by herself. I have to say… I feel very sympathetic toward Martha. I sometimes get angry when I feel that I'm stuck doing all the work. I have surely said a few angry words in my life - very much like Martha did. But Jesus reminds Martha… and us… what is REALLY important when he said: “Martha, Martha… you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Mary chose what is better… to take the time to sit and listen at the Savior’s feet! This past week was a busy one for me and many times I kept hearing the same song over and over again... I think God was trying to tell me something! The song, “Breathe” by Johnny Diaz, reminds us of the truth we find in today’s gospel: The story of Martha and Mary tells us that there is tremendous value in sitting - in listening - in learning - in loving. Like Martha, we think the important thing is doing - but Jesus teaches us to sit - to listen - to learn - to love. We need to remember to regularly take the time to relax and sit at the Jesus’ feet… to just sit quietly in the presence of God. Jesus tells us “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” We need to take advantage of the “rest” that has been so freely offered to us. We get so caught up in doing we forget to just be. We forget to rest at His feet. Life gets crazy. We can slow down the hectic pace of daily life by taking time to just breathe. We live in a Martha world, but take time to be Mary for just a bit. Jesus says that that's the one thing that's needed. Life will only get crazier unless we remind ourselves to stop and just breathe. Slow down so we don’t miss the joy and the peace that our time sitting in God’s presence… focusing on God’s word can bring. Jesus provides peace…that rest…that refreshment for my soul. So, let’s slow down the craziness of life and fill our souls with His grace. And just breathe!
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Yeon Shin
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