Martha and Mary and de Caussade

Friday, June 2, 2006 -- Week of 7 Easter (The Martyrs of Lyons)

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this link -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 965)
Psalms 102 (morning) // 107:1-32 (afternoon)
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Ephesians 5:1-20
Matthew 9:9-17


Mary's actions were counter-cultural and somewhat scandalous. She was a woman. Women were not supposed to study Torah or become disciples. They were not allowed to sit at the feet of a rabbi. Martha was behaving more appropriately, being the good host, doing the necessary work of preparation and hospitality.

In their culture, Martha would have been respected for her part. Mary's actions would have turned heads. She would have been regarded at best as strange, possibly scandalous or even subversive. She was making waves. But Jesus accepted and honored Mary's decision and unconventional role.

Jesus said that Mary was choosing "the better part." In some competitive corporate climates, taking time for prayer, meditation, spiritual reading or study, or for retreat might be counter cultural. In other places setting boundaries because of faith can turn heads.

The reading from Ephesians encourages us to high standards, especially in secrecy or in the dark. It picks up a repeated theme in the Epistles to be thankful at all times and in everything. "Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. ...understand what the will of the Lord is." Jeremiah imagines a day when no one will need to be instructed about God, for each of us will know God in our hearts.

I'm reminded of the advice of the 18th century spiritual director Jean Pierre de Caussade who taught that we can completely accept the circumstances of the present moment as the sacrament of God's presence, and in those circumstances we can with an inward glance, intuit what is the will of God for us in this moment. It is either to do some present duty, or to enjoy some present consolation, or, occasionally, to suffer something for the sake of God.

What will be the "better part" for us to choose today, being thankful in all things, following God's will through the Spirit that dwells in our hearts?

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas