So let's talk about today's readings 7/29/09

[cheeto1]

usccb.org/nab/072909.shtml

“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"

I could think on these words for the rest of my life.
What is the one thing?
What is the one thing?
Did Mary choose it (listening to Jesus), or not quite, since Jesus just
called it “the better part”?
No one can just sit down and listen to Jesus for the rest of their life, they would die!
They have to eat, they have to sleep, they have to use the bathroom!
You have to do all these things even if you didn’t have clothes.
But, this week Moses did go 40 days and nights without food or drink, just like Jesus.
There are so many things needed, how could Jesus say there was need of only
one thing? He didn’t say there was one most important thing, He said there was
need of only one thing.

What does God want us to do?

The gospel eclipses the first reading and the psalm for me, but they must be
connected in some way…

So what struck you about today’s readings? :bible1::twocents:

 

[Huiou_Theou]

John 4:31-34
Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Teacher, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” So the disciples said to one another, "Could someone have brought him something to eat?"34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.John 6:35 I AM the bread of Life.
John 11:24 Martha said to him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection on the last day.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life

Yes, I do think only one thing is necessary: God.

In the desert Moses would strike the rock – and out would come water for the people. On the cross John talks about blood and water coming forth from him who was pierced. In the prophets, and referenced at the sea (bowl) at the temple Jesus talks about living water coming fourth from the belly. This word which means womb in a general way. And in the sacrifice of the lambs at the temple, too, the ritual included watering the innards of the lamb, not just washing the feet.

Amen Amen I say to you, unless you eat of the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood, you shall not have life within you.
There will come a day when we see him face to face; and food will not be necessary to prevent death any more.

 

[cheeto1]

Yes, I do think only one thing is necessary: God…

…There will come a day when we see him face to face; and food will not be necessary to prevent death any more.

Of course God. But what does that mean for us when “a day” is not yet here?

I’m also reminded of the crowd that was listening to Jesus for 3 days and had no food.
Then Jesus fed them Himself.

Later, when they wanted a sign (more free food please!) He said no, I AM the bread
of life.

So what does it mean to you that only one thing is necessary, God?
What does it mean to you as far as what you should do? The one thing?

 

[Spiritoftruth]

your kidding right? To accept.

 

[cheeto1]

your kidding right? To accept.

No I am not kidding. I am asking in a physical and literal way, not a spirtual way.
When Jesus talked to Martha, and said Mary’s way was better, Do you think He
wished she would drop all her serving preparations, and sit down with Mary?
If so, what would it mean for us in a physical way today, what we should physically do?

 

[Spiritoftruth]

No I am not kidding. I am asking in a physical and literal way, not a spirtual way.
When Jesus talked to Martha, and said Mary’s way was better, Do you think He
wished she would drop all her serving preparations, and sit down with Mary?
If so, what would it mean for us in a physical way today, what we should physically do?

…you can do nothing physically without a mental thought process. You must first accept God’s plan, then you can act, (follow his guidance). For me it’s not rocket science, we just all follow in our own ways, and they are as unique and each one of us are. If you looking for a “one-size-fits-all” answer, I fear you will be disappointed… Peace!

 

[Spiritoftruth]

…don’t forget, Jesus told one person, to go and sin no more, all the while knowing that person will undoubtedly sin again… told another to sell all their worldly posessions and follow him. Both had very specifice paths to follow if they wanted to be assured of salvation. The so-called “good thief” on the cross next to Christ only had to believe… no physical act, even though you could say his speaking the words out loud to witness to the other thief could have constituted a physical work. And he is the only one that Jesus publically told that today he would be in paradise with him… after a life of crime… go figure… our ways are not God’s ways my friend… not by a long shot. I would not recommend trying to pidgeon whole God’s plan… IMHO of course:thumbsup:

 

[Huiou_Theou]

No I am not kidding. I am asking in a physical and literal way, not a spirtual way.
When Jesus talked to Martha, and said Mary’s way was better, Do you think He
wished she would drop all her serving preparations, and sit down with Mary?
If so, what would it mean for us in a physical way today, what we should physically do?

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.

The first thing is that this is a response to Martha’s anxiety; that all these things took precedence over listening to Jesus.
I think, hermeneutically (how it applies/interprets today), is that we can not let worries totally occupy us over Jesus – but have to allow enough time to pray.
There is a need to stop long enough to hear what God has to say to us – even if it inconveniences or delays other tasks.

Notice:
The sabbath was given as a gift to the Israelites; it means to stop working.

If you go back to the first feeding of the crowd; look at why Jesus is going to the deserted place – to take time out, rest, and pray. It is for the purpose of allowing the people to rest and listen to him that he multiplies the loaves. This is part of the sign of the manna/bread.

If you delve back into Exodus and Numbers; a parallel idea is going on – for God gave them bread on all except one day. Their work in gathering the bread was required six days – and God made the manna ROT if they tried to store up more. But the opposite happened on the sixth day – they HAD to gather two days of manna; for on the Sabbath, no manna would fall – and no one could work to gather what wasn’t there.

That was the nature of the entire journey to the promised land – the sign of heaven to come after our journey here, physically.

There is a rhythm of being, praying, resting, and working. Today, Jesus isn’t here in a physical way of full and intimate contact – except for brief periods of time in communion; and during those times where one receives him into their tent (tabernacle/home/body) – one ought to pray. Sometimes, the care of children will interrupt that prayer, or an emergency; but the cares of the world and work ought not do so.

Moses corresponds to Martha – where the presence of God was most intense – even the serving of food, preparation of the washing waters (which ought to have been before he arrived, or only at the beginning of his visit, after which one should have put the other things aside for a few moments). Martha doesn’t indicate at what point Mary left her – so it is clear that Mary was helping earlier.
Moses, himself, was doing work with God in preparing the writings of the Law and discussing the meaning of various signs and symbols in the ritual worship the Israelites were to do – that is, their work.

There is a unity, one-ness, about life inclusive of God.
As Jesus says elsewhere – my father is at work until now, and so am I.
God will provide on some occasions with less physical work than on others – in order that his work be done. Meditation is one of those works.

 

[cheeto1]

Notice:
The sabbath was given as a gift to the Israelites; it means to stop working.

Martha doesn’t indicate at what point Mary left her – so it is clear that Mary was helping earlier.

This is so helpful. So initially Martha was right to work, and Mary was probably
working too. Then, Mary knew when it was right to stop, but Martha didn’t.
In fact, it sounds like Martha would have left Him all alone while they both worked
for who knows how long…

 

[cheeto1]

…don’t forget, Jesus told one person, to go and sin no more, all the while knowing that person will undoubtedly sin again… told another to sell all their worldly posessions and follow him. Both had very specifice paths to follow if they wanted to be assured of salvation. The so-called “good thief” on the cross next to Christ only had to believe… no physical act, even though you could say his speaking the words out loud to witness to the other thief could have constituted a physical work. And he is the only one that Jesus publically told that today he would be in paradise with him… after a life of crime… go figure… our ways are not God’s ways my friend… not by a long shot. I would not recommend trying to pidgeon whole God’s plan… IMHO of course:thumbsup:

I love all these things you brought up to think about, but, what is “trying to pidgeon
whole God’s plan?”