Christian

Sunday, August 14th Readings

20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Father

It is my nature to love you,

        but there are so many distractions.

Help me fight off the distractions,

        and be persistent in my commitment. 

Let me not be limited by love of things which don’t last,

        but seek Your love which is limitless.

Keep me open to Your everlasting love,

        so I can love without limits too!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

  • When have you interceded for another, like the Court Official in this scripture? Who was it? What were the circumstances?
  • Have you stood up against the crowd? How did the crowd react to your opposition? Have you ever not spoken out and kept your opposition within?  What did that feel like? What would happen if you did stand up? Would you be treated like Jeremiah? Would God be there with you too?
  • Jeremiah proves to be someone you can rely on. Who else in this reading could you rely on? Who in your life can you rely on? What qualities do these people have that make them good friends?

Hebrews 12:1-4

  • Describe “cloud of witnesses.” Is it the same for everyone? What is the specific purpose of a “cloud of witnesses?”
  • What does this scripture say about suffering, specifically about Jesus’ suffering on the cross?
  • Do you believe God wants you to suffer? Why or why not? Is this belief because of faith or experience?

Luke 12:49-53

  • How does God set the world on fire? What is consumed? What needs to be consumed? What is role in keeping the fire alive?
  • Have you ever been filled with “fire” or passion for something? Jesus came to rekindle the “fire” of faith and left the Holy Spirit to light up the world.  How do your actions show that you have been baptized?  Do you live as if you WERE baptized or ARE baptized?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Have you ever felt like you were sinking in the mud? What did it feel like? How were you able to get “un-stuck”?
  • Are there people who offend you? Who? Why? How does it affect how you act around them or how you treat them?
  • Are there laws which you don’t agree with but follow?
  • Have you ever worked to change a law which you found to be unjust?  Share. What did you do? What did you learn from the experience?
  • How does your faith/hope/love in Jesus affect how you deal with loss/struggles/suffering?
  • What would you say to someone who is struggling who doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus? How would you show them support or give comfort?
  • What do you focus your eyes on?  Jesus or something else?  What can you do to keep your focus on Jesus?
  • What divides you from others?
  • What is the definition of division? What is the opposite?
  • Where do you see divisions in the world, your community, your church, your family, your own heart? Is there a common thread in these divisions?
  • What are some of these things that divide the church today? Is there anything you can do to help the division dissipate? What ideas, concepts or theologies are you resistant to that cause division in the church, community, or family?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May I never lose sight of the faith which fills me…

ALL:  Pray for me, Father Abraham!

Leader:  May I always find hope in the promise of heaven…

ALL:  Pray for me, Prophets of the Old Testament!

Leader:  May I always be waiting and listening for God…

ALL:  Pray for me, Mother Mary!

Leader:  May I never forget the sacrifice made on the cross…

ALL:  Pray for me, Jesus our Savior!

Leader:  May I always keep the Holy Spirit close and follow…

ALL:  Pray for me, Prophets of the New Testament!

Leader:  May I never turn away from the love which created me…

ALL:  Pray for me, Saints of today and yesterday!

Challenge for the Week:  Sometimes one little thing can cause a tornado of stress and worry in life. It could be something as simple as a paper cut that can flip your day upside-down.  If you look to the Prophets and Saints, you learn quickly that they know how it feels because they were human too.  They were also distracted by things (maybe even a paper cut) but persevered in learning to keep Christ centered in their lives.  Take time this week to seek out a Prophet or Saint (dead or alive) and consider how you might be able to learn a tip from them to fend off distractions in your life.

Examples: (1) Moses was “crippled” by his speech impediment but was able to put it aside to serve God and save the Israelites from slavery (2) Oscar Romero loved God and serving the Church so much he lived out his call as a priest despite the opposition…even to death.

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Architect and Maker

I played a game as a kid that I think was called M.A.S.H but can’t really remember is that was an acronym for something and if it was, what it meant.  However, I do remember that one person would ask another person a series of questions where they could give 3 or 4 answers per category.  For example, you would ask them to name people they would like to marry, what kind of house they’d like to live in, how many kids they will have, etc.

Depending on who you played with, sometimes there were only a few categories, but others liked to get very detailed in their questions.  Such as asking you what type of car you’d like to drive and then asking what color you wanted your car to be.  Regardless, once all of the information was collected, you’d begin a process of eliminating the choices until there was only one item left in each category.  In the end, you’d have a full description of a person’s life. 

Of course, this is completely fictional.  No one is able to confidently know what their lives will look like, where they will live, who they will marry and what kind of car they will drive.  One could give an educated guess, but to know for certain what your life’s situation will be in five years, or even one year, it would only be a guess.

I mean, one year ago this week, my husband and I were in St. Louis celebrating my husband’s birthday by attending a couple of baseball games, and we got the call that my husband was acquiring a couple of projects in Austin.  We have had no idea that we were about to pick up and move after living in Kansas City for our entire 29-year marriage, and after I’d just began a new job in January.  It was a bit of a shock, but the decision to move was easy.

I imagine this is how Abraham and Sarah felt when God told them they were going to have descendants as countless as the stars; a little shocked but ready to do and accept whatever God had planned for them.  Abraham and Sarah probably had no idea it was possible for them to have a child at such an old age, but God made it happen.  For us, it was a desire to move to Colorado where we could spend more time outdoors hiking and biking.  We had no idea we could have the lifestyle we desired in Texas!

I realized that in real life, unlike in the game I played as a child, I cannot choose the options in each of the categories because they have already been chosen for me by God.  God knows where I will be in five years, and I just need to trust.  Yes, I could fight the changes and try to blaze my own trail, but I believe that God will get His way in the end.

God’s will for me will happen whether I let go and let God or if I try to be the captain of my own adventure.  I can make decisions (big and small) without God’s help, or I can turn to God for guidance.  This is really my only choice, whether or not I will open myself up to listen for God to lead me where I am to go today.  So, I choose to let go and let God lead my decisions because in the end, His is the one who created me for a purpose, and He knows what that purpose is.  I am not going to stand in the way of God’s plan, whatever it is, I trust it will be better than anything I could have imagined on my own.

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GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds.  It’s more than a book, rather a guide to becoming a stronger disciple through physical and spiritual exercises.  Get your copy and begin the journey!

Sunday, August 7th Readings

19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Why do I doubt your love for me?

Let me reach out to you and feel your embrace.

May I never lose hope in your presence!

What can I do to trust you more?

Let me call your Name and hear your response.

May I always know the sound of your voice!

Keep me close Lord, I cannot live without YOU!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Wisdom 18:6-9

  • Do you trust God will “take care of your adversaries”? Why or why not? Give an example of what this might look like.
  • What gives the Israelites the courage to begin their journey?  This same faith lives within you, how do you show it in your life?

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 or 11:1-2, 8-12

  • Explain how you show trust in God and His plan for you. Give an example of how you trust God.
  • What do you think was going on in Abraham’s head when first he was promised endless descendants and then is asked to sacrifice the only son he was given? Do you trust God this much?  How does God test your trust in Him?

Luke 12:32-48 or 12:35-40

  • Is there anything you’ve been waiting on God for which He has not delivered?
  • Why would God want you to be watchful? How do you let down your guard?
  • Put into words what “treasure” God has promised and has waiting for you in the kingdom.
  • If God knocked on the door, would you be ready? What do I need to do to become ready?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Describe having “courage” to let God work in your life.
  • Do you have relationships where you have a shared commitment? Who is the relationship with and what is the commitment?
  • How are the qualities of your relationship with shared commitment the same and different than other relationships?
  • Have you ever needed to make a “leap of faith”? Explain.
  • Is there something in your life that you are in “hopeful anticipation” of? What makes you hopeful about the situation or event? How can you give thanks to God for this hope?
  • Have you ever felt lost in your faith? Describe.
  • Where do you feel God calling you? Who do you turn to for help and guidance during these times of the unknown?
  • List three treasures of your heart. Can you come up with more? Is it hard to think of three?  Why or why not?
  • What is your understanding of “an hour you don’t expect”? How do your words and actions reflect that understanding?
  • What do you do when you think no one is looking? God knows what you do in the dark, so who do you hide from?
  • Who in your life is not worthy of your trust?
  • Is there a common sacrifice all Christians’ value? What is it and how do you know it is valuable?
  • Is it easy or difficult to let others have power over you? Why?  What would Jesus tell you to do?
  • Have you ever sworn an oath? What was it for? Did you keep it?
  • Do you love and serve God out of fear or obedience? What is the difference?
  • Have you ever felt as though there was no hope? What was the situation? Was hope really gone or had you lost sight of it?
  • Can someone you know be a stranger? Explain.
  • Have you ever moved forward in faith, knowing God was calling but not knowing what was to come? Explain.
  • Has God ever delivered a miracle to you? When? What was it?
  • What was the last decision you allowed God to make without your input?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I face adversity…

ALL:  May I have the courage, only faith can give!

Leader:  When I question…

ALL:  May I have the wisdom, only faith can give!

Leader:  When all I see is despair…

ALL:  May I have the hope, only faith can give!

Leader:  When I feel empty…

ALL:  May I have the fulfillment, only faith can give!

Leader:  When all I have to hold is the promise…

ALL:  May I have the trust, only faith can give!

Leader:  When I feel you in my soul…

ALL:  May I feel the peace, only faith can give!

Challenge for the Week:  Trusting God, living a Christian life and following the path laid before you can be extremely difficult at times.  You can be tempted to stray and fall into sin or to doubt or lose hope in the promise that God will take care of you and all your needs.  However, scripture repeatedly reminds you that God has plans for your life that are so much better than what you can accomplish on our own.  The scripture says that even though it might be difficult, and you might want to throw in the towel waiting on what God to deliver, but you should NEVER lose hope!  Spend time thinking about how you have remained vigilant in the promises of Christ.  Have you been losing hope?  Are you holding on by a thread to the promise?  What can you do to refocus and get a clearer perspective on what God has been doing in your life?  God is still there, He just maybe not giving you what you expect.  Trust that God has a plan for you and when you do, it will come to fruition.

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Mind Not at Rest

A Reflection on the scripture Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23

There are times in everyone’s lives when they have a hard time settling down their thoughts and being at rest.  It can be caused by stress, worry, excitement or a myriad of other reasons.  I can recall it happening to me several times, but especially when I was a kid, the night before the first day of school, my mind would be filled with so many thoughts that it was hard to rest.  When I was a kid there weren’t summer camps, sports, and social media to keep kids connected over the summer, like they do today. 

I would be worried about what I would wear, if I needed all of the school supplies the first day, if I’d remember my locker combination, and honestly if any of my friends from the previous year would remember me (mostly because I moved around a lot and didn’t have those long-time connections like being classmates in pre-school).

I thought the racing mind was just something that happened occasionally to people, until I met my husband.  His mind is churning a thousand miles a minute, thinking, planning, worrying and so much more.  Honestly, I get tired sometimes watching him think 😉 but what my husband deals with is just an overactive brain.

There are people in the world whose minds are never at rest because they are filled with traumatic events, stress, grief, and what is finally becoming something people feel comfortable talking about, mental illness.  Five or ten years ago people kept it to themselves if they were taking medication or needed to be hospitalized because they needed assistance regulating thoughts, emotions and how to process information.

I feel one of the repercussions of COVID and everyone staying at home, caused a lot of people to crawl up into themselves like a turtle and it stirred up a lot of angst.  The first reading this week is from Ecclesiastes, chapter 1:2 and 2:21-23, to me, it opened the door for me to say, if you, in the two years since the world shut down because of COVID feel like a lesser version of yourself, you MUST find some help to navigate back into the world.  If you suffer from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, PTSD, or any other form of mental illness, please talk to someone who will listen and guide you to find yourself again.

I recently had a day when I felt like at every turn, someone was slamming a door in my face, and nothing was turning out right.  It was just one day for me, but I know there are people who don’t have the support system that I have (and for me that includes God).  For some people, this is an everyday emotion which causes them to be paralyzed and unable to enjoy things they usually would enjoy.  It causes them to push family and friends away, so they won’t see this different version of the person they used to be.

I write this message, maybe not for you, but it could be for someone you know and love.  I believe the scripture is God saying that it is important to be reaching out and paying attention.  It is a reminder that as a disciple, you are called to love Him AND your neighbor.  After the time of stay at home, I think people want to be seen, after not being seen for so long. 

This means there might be someone you know who could use a little encouragement or to be reminded that they are important to you.  Your positive words can help turn a bad day or a day that is headed in that direction into a brighter day.  I’m not saying you can cure mental illness with some positive words, but I am saying that every human likes to be seen and be told that they are loved and that they matter.

Again, I think there is an important message in the scripture this week and it is to take care of yourself AND others.  Not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually too.  Reach out to someone you have spoken to for a while to check in to make sure they are okay and that you care about their wellbeing.  This is what God calls His children to do!

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GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds.  It’s more than a book, rather a guide to becoming a stronger disciple through physical and spiritual exercises.  Get your copy and begin the journey!

Sunday, July 31st Readings

18th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Why do you love me?

What causes you to stay with me?

You love me and never leave

even though I neglect you

and persecute you.

May I acknowledge your persistence in love

and come to know you enough

to love others as you love me!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

  • How does one labor over wisdom and knowledge?
  • What do you allow to rule your life? Does work have control? The quest for acceptance or acknowledgement? A desire for wealth or status? What worries keep you awake at night?

Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

  • Share an example of how you seek what is above on a regular basis? What does it look like? 
  • How did you learn to seek life in Christ? How do you share what you have learned?

Luke 12:13-21

  • Are there things which you guard and do not share? What are they and why do you keep them for yourself?
  • What does this scripture tell you of what God values? 

General Questions for Journaling

  • What causes you anxiety? How do you know it is anxiety? What happens to you physically, emotionally? How do you control it? Can you control it?
  • Have you ever allowed grief to consume you? What do you risk when you allow grief and sorrow to take over?
  • When was the last time your mind was at rest? Describe the feeling?
  • Do the things you invest our time in tell an accurate story about what you value? Are there things you need to change?
  • What is your image of Christ? What are the qualities of God which you emulate? Which ones do you need to work on more?
  • Are there times when you hide your belief in God? Why or why not?
  • What is your definition of treasure or riches? 
  • Where do you go to seek treasure or riches?
  • Do you consider yourself to be rich? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let me know what you treasure…

ALL:  in the cool gentle breeze.

Leader:  Let me know what you treasure…

ALL:  in the sound of the ocean waves.

Leader:  Let me know what you treasure…

ALL:  in the smell of the pine tree.

Leader:  Let me know what you treasure…

ALL:  in the comfort of an embrace.

Leader:  Let me know what you treasure…

ALL:  in the warmth of laughter.

Leader:  Let me know what you treasure…

ALL:  in the intimacy of prayer.

Challenge for the Week:  Where do you see God’s love?  Make a list of the places you see God today.  Do you think when you make a point to seek God, He appears more abundantly?  How many times do you think you miss out on God’s goodness each day when you are consumed with our own agenda and worry?  Consider what God wants you to do for HIM today to share HIS LOVE!!!

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Sweep Away

I love to watch KU basketball and have been a fan for several years.  Although I didn’t attend the University, I still love to follow the team and invest my time doing my best to catch every game.  My interest in the team is often talked about and supported by friends and family.

So, when a friend of mine gave me a hard time about being a KU fan I wasn’t surprised at first because I thought they were just playing around.  However, their comment was more accusatory in nature as to why I’d want to associate myself with people who obviously didn’t value the same things I do.  They couldn’t believe I’d root for a team whose fans would act in a negative way.

You see, they’d been at a KU night at a public venue and apparently the people at the event wearing KU hats and t-shirts were drinking a lot and had become belligerent.  I explained to my friend that not all fans of KU act that way.  He was making a sweeping judgement about all fans and tossing me into the mix.

So, when I hear the scripture story about Sodom and Gomorrah, where there were people who were pillaging and plunging, looting, and causing a great ruckus, I can’t help but think about my conversation with my friend.  It actually happens pretty regularly, where people hear about negative behavior and then group together everyone who identify with or might have membership within the community.

In fact, I heard it on the news today when the newscaster was talking about the Democrats in the House of Representatives.  The newscaster made a sweeping statement, clumping all of the Democrats together saying they all are supporting a specific argument.  People make these general statements often, forgetting that the only thing some of the Democrats in the House of Representatives have in common is that they identify as Democrats.

Potentially the same as in my situation, where the only thing I might have had in common with those people who were belligerent is that we like to cheer for the same basketball team.  However, I was being clumped in with a group of people and being judged by their behavior.  You can’t assume that just because someone identifies as being from some place or practicing a specific religion or roots for a sports team that they are good or bad.

Abraham is good to remind us of that fact.  Abraham told God that He could not destroy the cities because of the bad things that were happening; there would be innocent bystanders that would be destroyed as well.  This message is especially important to remember these days when there are some very hot button topics rolling around.  When you hear things like gun control or abortion slipping into conversation, often times you also hear some generalized statement, stereotyping and profiling people who may or may not fit into the mold.  It is just good practice for everyone to pause and think before making any sweeping judgements.

When reading the scripture, some might think that God is being harsh and can’t believe He’d even consider destroying His own people.  However, the interaction between God and Abraham is not about what God is saying, it is Abraham coming to understanding that there is good in all things, even when all you see is despair.  God wanted Abraham to learn that when you make a sweeping judgement about people, places or things, that you can cause more harm than good.

This lesson God is teaching Abraham is one everyone should learn.  Now, because you can’t change other people, you can only change yourself, take time today to ask God to reveal to you any places in your life where you are making sweeping judgments about individual or groups of people.  Then ask Him to help you remove the limited belief from you so you can be more open to seeing the good, rather than the bad.

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GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds.  It’s more than a book, rather a guide to becoming a stronger disciple through physical and spiritual exercises.  Get your copy and begin the journey!

Sunday, July 24th Readings

17th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Lord

Why do you love me?

What causes you to stay with me?

You love me and never leave

even though I neglect you

and persecute you.

May I acknowledge your persistence in love

and come to know you enough

to love others as you love me!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 18:20-32

  • What do you take from the conversation between God and Abraham? What does it say of God’s character?
  • How might you be more like Abraham? What characteristic do you want to emulate? How will you do this?

Colossians 2:12-14   

  • What are the things that keep you from having the relationship you want with Jesus?
  • Are there people you can’t forgive? What stands in the way? Is there something God is calling you to do about it?

Luke 11:1-13

  • Who taught you to pray? How so?
  • Do you ask God for what you need? How does He respond?
  • Where do you find the answer to your prayers?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Is there something which you feel guilty about right now? What is it? Why?
  • Who do you turn to as a moral compass? Is it a person? What do those conversations sound like?
  • Do you believe in hell? Why or why not?
  • In light of the hatred and violence in the world right now, where do you see God at work?
  • Do you ever think God gets mad at us? Why or why not?
  • If God gets mad at us, what do you think he is mad about? Our actions?  Lack of action? Words or lack of words?
  • Are there things you are afraid to talk to God about? Is it because you are afraid to ask? 
  • What is the definition of oppression? Where do you see oppression happening today? In the world, your community, your church, your family?
  • Do you answer the door when God knocks?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Sarah and Abraham to surrender.

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Job and Jonah to surrender.

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Elijah and David to surrender.

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed James and John to surrender.

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  as you showed Mary YOUR mother to surrender.

Leader:  Let me surrender to YOU

ALL:  in my daily prayers in word and action!

Challenge for the Week:  In the parable Jesus continues to talk about how to treat your neighbor.  The scriptures over the past few weeks give examples of hospitality, what you should do to take care of others.  Jesus is reminding you to think of the needs of others first before your own, to share what you have without holding back.  This message is countercultural, even at the time of Jesus.  Spend time meditating on how you might be hording your “goods” (materials, time, talent) and identify what do you hold back. 

***Just a few suggestions***

Is there a specific relationship which you don’t give enough time or effort to, but you know God is calling you to give more, be more? 

Do you serve on a committee or participate in a group which you simply show up physically but aren’t giving of yourself to help move a project forward? 

When asked to lend a hand, do your thoughts move to your “to do list” or do you jump at the opportunity to help and help with a positive attitude? 

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com

Discipleship 5K: A Physical and Spiritual Journey to the Cross by Heather Neds, author of the Weekly Scripture Journal is more than a book, it is a guide to becoming a stronger disciple.  Grab and copy and start the journey!

Martha and Mary

Growing up I was always interested in birth order books and other personality tests.  Whenever I’d see a quiz in a magazine or have the opportunity to take a career prediction test at school, I would anxiously await the results.  I couldn’t wait to see how my answers to these questions could bring some new revelation about myself.

So, from my early studies of personality traits, it is easy to conclude in the story of Martha and Mary, that Martha is the older sister.  She feels like she needs to do everything correctly and follow the rules.  And when you are hosting guests, you need to make sure everything is perfect.

I too am an older sister, and my brother and I had very different strategies to completing our daily chores.  I would get right to them so I could check them off my list and move on, but my brother would wait until the last minute before my parents would get home.  Often times, I would end up helping him with his chores because he’d waited too long to complete the tasks.  I didn’t want him to get in trouble, but that meant I was doing more than my share of the chores.

Now, we don’t know if Jesus’ visit was planned or if he spontaneously stopped by for a visit.  But I would dare to say, Jesus didn’t text them to let them know he’d be there in an hour, so then adding a little more stress to Martha’s plate.  Even if it was a planned visit, I believe that Martha was so consumed with preparing food and making up a bed for their guest of honor that she overwhelmed herself with thinking the tasks had to be done before she could enjoy herself.  Similar to how I’d do my chores first thing, so I could have that task off my list, and be able to do what I wanted to do.

I understand how Martha could be frustrated because she knew the work required of having a guest and Mary wasn’t helping.  It is often then, the conclusion that Mary’s actions were like my brother, putting off his chores until later.  However, I’m not sure that is completely accurate either.

I also relate to Mary, knowing that when you have guests, it means more than having a clean bathroom and their favorite type of coffee creamer.  Hosting a guest in your home also means you are attentive to them and do whatever you can to make them feel comfortable.  Mary took on the responsibility of entertaining the guest.

Over the past 10 months, I’ve had 8 groups of visitors come to stay overnight.  In addition to making sure the guest bedroom and bathroom were clean, I spent much time plotting out potential activities that would be of interest to the specific guest.  My husband and I planned meals according to the likes of the guest, and genuinely doing all we could to make the guest feel welcomed and loved.

So, when I reflect on this scripture and on these two women and their actions, I believe they were both doing what they thought was best to be hospitable to their guest.  I really don’t know the birth order of the sisters, nor where Lazarus fits into the mix, but regardless of birth order or what number Mary and Martha would be on an Enneagram, they were both working to make Jesus feel welcomed and loved. 

Moreover, I believe the important part of the scripture is not their actions, rather Jesus’ words.  Jesus tells Martha that she worries too much and that she needs to slow down and rest. Not only just rest but rest with Him. The moral of the story is for everyone, not just Martha.  It is a simple reminder that hospitality is about relationship.  The very definition of hospitality says, it is the “friendly and generous reception of guests,” and not making sure you have dusted off the top of your refrigerator.

Further, Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better path, not to demean her or take away value from the work she did or was doing to make his visit comfortable.  He did it to make the point that those tasks are distractions from the thing that is most important, and that is spending time with Him.  And that can look like spending time in prayer or playing catch with your kids outside or talking to your neighbor.

It is a good reminder to stop filling the day with tasks and to spend time with Jesus today.  And if you are a A type personality, it is okay to schedule it on your calendar 😉

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Sunday, July 17th Readings

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Creator of all that is good,

YOU made me

       with eyes to see

       with ears to hear

       with arms to reach out

       with legs to go out

Let me see, hear, reach out and go to all who feel invisible.

Don’t let my to do list, keep me from yours!

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Genesis 18:1-10a

  • What do you take from the hospitality of Abraham? 
  • How is Abraham like Jesus in this scripture?

Colossians 1:24-28

  • Where do you see faith being passed on to generations to come?  What is your role? What is the role of the church? How would Saint Paul respond to your answer?
  • How does suffering and sins of the flesh keep you from or draw you to the church?

Luke 10:38-42

  • Identify when you are Martha and when you are Mary; are you able to relate to both or are you drawn more to one over the other? Why? Are you happy with your answer?
  • What do you believe is Jesus’ real message here?
  • Have you demanded God tell someone else to help you out? How did He respond?

General Questions for Journaling

  • Does good always come from good? Why or why not?
  • How do you see God blessing others in the world today? How do you know it is God and not simply good fortune?
  • What is your definition of hospitality? Are you stingy or lavish with your hospitality?
  • Who sees the best version of you? Are you at your best 100% of the time?  f no, what % of the time are you your best self?
  • Does the fear of treating others equally keep you from doing nice things for just one person?
  • Does suffering draw people together or rip them apart? How? Where and when have you seen this happen?
  • Do you say “yes” to too many things? Why or why not?
  • When you say “no” do you feel guilty for not helping out or participating? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might show you love through service and in prayer.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might complete the tasks you lay before me.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might work to provide for my neighbor.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might welcome you into my home.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might follow you wherever you lead.

Leader:  May I have the Martha will and the Mary heart…

ALL:  so I might rest at your feet at the end of the busy day.

Challenge for the Week:  Spend time this week in prayer and pray for the insight to determine if you are holding onto any ill will against someone without them even knowing you are upset.  Are you blaming someone else for a choice you have made? If so, you really should be upset with yourself instead.  There are times when doing good things for others, can stir up negative feelings.  You can get resentful because the good you are doing is not being noticed or get mad at others for not helping or doing their part.  It can easily turn into a blame game and either you or others make up excuses for not helping.  You could even harbor bad feelings towards others without ever acknowledging where the negative feelings are coming from in the first place.  Consider the Gospel story and use it as your guide as you meditate on how you feel and what you might do to find a peaceful solution.

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant

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Sunday, July 10th Readings

15th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Dear God

YOU created a complex world

        and in it YOU give beauty beyond words.

YOU told the sun when to rise

        and provide all creatures with their needs.

YOU wrote on the hearts of Your people

        the desire to love and care for one another.

Let the material things and the lies of the world

        be tossed away and take up space, no more.

Let YOUR Word fill me

        until they overflow from my lips.

AMEN!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Deuteronomy 30:10-14

  • What do you do with all of your heart and soul? Are there a lot of things? A few?    
  • How do know God has a plan for you?

Colossians 1:15-20

  • What do you learn about Jesus in this scripture? 
  • What does it encourage you to do to be more like Jesus?

Luke 10:25-37

  • Identify your neighbors. What are their needs? How can you show them the love of God?
  • Have you seen this parable lived out in your life? When have you been robbed and left for dead? When have you been the one who passed by? When have you been the one who helped? When have you been like the innkeeper?

General Questions for Journaling

  • How do you hear the voice of God? When?
  • How often do you follow God’s voice/words when you hear them?
  • Where do you go to find purpose or meaning in your life?
  • What does it mean to have something “written on your heart”?
  • Who are your confidants? What qualities do they have that you go to them for advice?
  • Do you live your life so others know God is first? Or is someone else put first in your life? Spouse? Greed? Children? Self?
  • Does peace come to you or is it something you work for? 
  • What does reconciliation feel like? Is it easy or difficult to achieve reconciliation?
  • Is there a limit to how much you can help another? Have you ever hit the limit?
  • When you are in need, are you open to others helping you? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When I feel I’ve hit a dead end and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to create a new path!

Leader:  When I am left with nothing and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to share what I need!

Leader:  When I feel lost and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to welcome with open arms!

Leader:  When I am blinded by fear/money/arrogance…

ALL:  YOU have the power to forgive my wrongs!

Leader:  When I feel I am on empty and don’t know what to do…

ALL:  YOU have the power to fill me up!

Leader:  Father, giver all good things…

ALL:  may I live my life in these truths!

Challenge for the Week:  How are the commandments relevant today?  Where do you see them lived out?  Spend time this week re-writing the commandments to make them specific to you.  Highlight the ones you struggle with so you can pay more attention to them.

GET CONNECTED DAILY!  Find more reflections and prayers at Making Scripture Relevant on Facebook and Instagram.  Join the Weekly Scripture Journal email list by contacting heather@makingscripturerelevant.com