What draws us to the table

 "Martha, Martha you worrry and fret over so many things when only one thing is necessary!" We can easily imagine the scene. An important guest has come to our house and we are doing our best to impress them. We want to not only provide a good meal but want to be known as good hosts. Martha is justifiably considered with the preparations. We can even sense her growing annoyance that Mary is focussed totally on the guest who is at the heart of the reason for all the preparations. We can sense the tension in this scene because it unfolds in our own daily activity. Whether it is travelling to work, preparing a meal, or making plans for the future. All are done with good intent but somehow we start to notice that we are no longer centred on the reason for the activity but on the activity itself. This loss of focus robs us of a sense of being present to the moment.

This practice of the present moment can even be scene in contrast by Abraham preparing to welcome the three visitors at the Oak of Mamre. Once again Abraham along with Sarah make all the preparations to welcome their guest. But then he stands under the tree and waits. It is this sense of being present to the three divine persons that transforms the situation. It is not that we should not make preparations but that we need to be present to who is at the heart of the celebrations. In days where many intrusive thoughts and activities can tend to swamp us demanding attention we are called to recentre ourselves over and over again. This is not to stop us from doing important things but so that we can be aware of who we are becoming in the midst of all our doing!

As we journey through life we should not be in a rush just to achieve results but attend to what brings us life. This pausing at table allows us to notice how God dwells with us in the midst of everyday activities. He allows us to gather at table with a sense of being in the presence of God. In this we discover what Paul reveals to the Colossians. "That the mystery is Christ among you, your hope of glory: this is the wisdom in which we thoroughly train everyone and instruct everyone, to make them all perfect in Christ."                

The Word is very close to you

 What will I be called to do today? This question can greet us at the beginning of each day. Who am I called to become, and what will I do? So often, our prayers can read like an agenda list at a business meeting, where we put expectations on ourselves, on others, and on God. We strive to ensure that all tasks are completed in the correct order and manner. We cannot be interrupted during our activity. Our priorities rule our hearts, how we spend our money and where we focus our attention. So often we can be like the priest and the Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan, where we skirt around the person in need for fear that they will rob us or, worse still, consume our precious time. 

Yet in the story, we look to see what will disrupt and interrupt our day. The Good Samaritan takes a risk in lending a hand and spending time to ensure that the person is well cared for. They go out of their way not only to bandage the wounds but also to provide a place where the person can recover in peace. Much of our social welfare reaches out to people in need, providing them with a safety net to protect them in times of unexpected crisis. This aims to convey a practical understanding of compassion, which lies at the heart of good governance. We do not abandon people to the evil actions of those who would exploit the weak, the lonely and those who travel on their own.

This seeks to be prayerfully present to people in everyday life. It also aims to study our environment to understand how the Good News influences our way of life. We are called to be people who reflect the compassionate face of Christ to others. Through this reflection, we can examine what falls within our sphere of influence and what compels us to speak out. This is not just a reaction but a reflective practice that flows naturally from our hearts. We are called to hear and discern how God speaks to us in the everyday events of our lives. God provides the means for us to make courageous and compassionate choices. "The Word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your hearts for your observance."

Names written in heaven

St Paul talks to the Galatians about the Cross of Jesus being a rule of life. This can challenge us to understand more deeply what we are drawn into through meditating upon the cross. When we hear that St Paul sees this as a rule of life, we can wonder what it means. We often hear of the challenge to take up our cross and follow him, but this is not what St Paul is calling to mind. Instead, he views it as a guiding principle of life. The word comes from the Greek word regula, meaning "trellis." When we look at the cross from this viewpoint, we can start to see how Jesus stands at the centre of our Christian life and provides a total self-giving for the good of another.

This is emphasised in the teaching of Jesus, where he proclaims to the people that the Kingdom of God is very close to you. This talks about a change of heart and a change of life. It allows us to experience the providence of God that provides what is needed for the situation. This is not just about the material necessities of life, but a sense of inner peace that abides within a person. When we enter a house, we are called to be people who bring peace with us and accept hospitality from others. It is the sacramental meeting where we are called to be nourished, healed and forgiven. There is a generous giving and receiving that allows us to notice how God is at the heart of the interactions.

It also allows us the ability to see how each day writes the script of eternity. We are no longer just focused on striving for material goods and comforts. Instead, we seek to rejoice and flourish in knowing that our lives have eternal worth. This changes not only how we see ourselves but also how we interact with each other if we see that our names are written in heaven. We can give glory to God through our way of life.