Week 19 - Jesus gives life

Theme:

Jesus gives us food for on the journey we take in life. In this way he makes it possible for us to live in accordance with His spirit.

What I may wish to ask:

That Jesus can satisfy my hunger and that I can learn to joyfully receive good things from Him.

In order to be able to receive sustenance from Jesus, I become still and allow myself to accept His gaze of love and of friendship.

*

We are going to listen to a musical version of Psalm 23. A Psalm of David which is full of comforting words. After the song, I remain silent for a while to consider which words have touched me. Maybe because I have experienced or received some spiritual comfort myself. Maybe because of a deep longing which the words awaken in me. And if the words do not touch me at all then I remain silent to consider what this means to me.

*

Music: The Lord is my Shepherd. Lyrics van Howard Goodall. The Sixteen.

The Lord is my shepherd

I shall not want,

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,

He leadeth me beside the still waters. [ x2 ]

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil, [ x 2 ]

For you are with me, You will comfort me,

For you are with me, You will comfort me,

Comfort me.

Surely goodness and mercy,

Shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Forever

Forever

Forever

Spotify Link:

https://open.spotify.com/track/38n7NNatfkZFOaKdWuzsrj?si=712d7375a76a4021

YouTube Link:

https://youtu.be/08_66_FbfS0?si=wO76ibiYBcDLBvPb

Luke 10: 38 – 42

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

I try to step into the story. Which position or role would I most like to find myself in?

What do I see happening around me? I look at the expressions on the faces. What do I see in Mary’s expression? Is that different to what I see in Martha? And what do I notice about the expression on Jesus’ face?

*

To sit at Jesus’ feet, to listen to Him, to look at Him, maybe even to start loving Him. What does that mean to me? Does something then change deep within me? Do I start to see the world and people in a different way?

*

To first receive consolation, warmth, God’s love (Jesus’ love) and only then enter the world willing to serve and welcome others. And not the other way round! For a short while I remain calmly seated at Jesus’ feet and consider the words of the song we heard. Which words would I like to choose to tell Jesus what He means to me? I say those words to Jesus in just the same way that friends speak to each other.

*

Music: The Lord is my Shepherd.