12.9.08

Read Luke 10:38-42

Holiday Shopping, Holiday Travel, Holiday Party’s, In-Laws, Dinners, Lights, Trees, Decorations, Food, Preparations, Anxiety, Busyness, and utter disjointed, unfocused Madness.

When did the Holy Day celebration of Christmas become the sterile, materialistic & generic Holiday of contemporary 21st century consumerism?

Yet even 1st century Martha is faced with Jesus’ blunt, stinging, yet gentle call to: Shalom.

To Peace.
Wholeness.
Complete Fulfillment.
Nothing missing.
No longing.
Absence of Strife.

Peace.

Martha’s concern over what her sister Mary was and was not doing and her task orientation was completely missing the point. It brought her anxiety, discord and strife. Here was Jesus-God of the universe-in her home, in her home!....and she could not hear him or rest in the wholeness of being near him, though he was so near.

Only one thing is needed...Silence!....Listen….Hear…Taste…At his feet…. Jesus celebrates Mary’s relationship orientation and says it will not be taken from her. What is it? Shalom.

As you feel the crush and anxiety of your essential tasks, obligations and concern over what others are (or aren’t) doing, may you remember that only one thing is needed to celebrate the Holy Day. In time of solitude or in the midst of many people, at his feet, listening, focused on relationship, you will find fulfillment, wholeness, peace, shalom.