Too Busy?

When St. Luke near the beginning of his Gospel (1:39) describes the newly pregnant Mary hurrying to visit her cousin Elizabeth, the Greek verb he uses means something like "hurrying deep in thought."  Perhaps some of us can ask Mary to teach us how to make sure that our action flows from contemplation.

Sit Still

Mary "sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking." (Luke 10:39)  Sitting is a popular position for contemplation.  Listening to the Divine is what contemplation is about.
St. Francis of Assisi said, "Where there is rest and meditation there is neither anxiety nor restlessness."

Rublev's Trinity

This icon painted in the 15th century by Andrei Rublev is sometimes called The Hospitality of Abraham (Genesis 18:1-10.)  It uses the story of three "angels" welcomed by Abraham as a symbol of the Trinity.  Some art critics think that the rectangle on the front of the table below the cup once held a mirror, so that the viewer was included in the Trinity.  I begin my centering prayer by placing myself with the Holy Spirit (on the right,) Jesus (center,) and Father, Love, "in whom I live and move and have my being."  Hospitality is a good word for unearned love.

Take It Easy

The passage about Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) comes immediately after the parable of the Good Samaritan which portrays action as essential to living the love commandment.  So Jesus is not criticizing Martha for her activity, but for being over-anxious about it.  Hospitality is best when done with calm attention to the guest.

Cosmic Harmony

"Cosmic" seemed to me a modern word with echoes of endless space.  But in Colossians 1:15-20 St. Paul quotes what seems to be an early Christian hymn that has the notion of a cosmic Christ in whom "all things hold together," every created thing that has ever evolved and will evolve.  We are caught up in this cosmic harmony.

Neighbor

The lawyer asks Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"  Jesus answers with the parable of the Good Samaritan which turns the question around and tells the lawyer, "You be the neighbor, you be the person who helps whoever comes your way in need." (Luke 10:25-37)

Participate!

Thomas Jefferson said,"We in America do not have government by the majority--we have government by the majority who participate....All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."