Daily Devotions

The second qualifying question for the disciple is, “Am I willing to listen?”

In the gospels there are a number of contrasting moments. When Simon Peter was full of his bright ideas on the Mount of Transfiguration, God told him to 'listen' to his Son (Luke 9:36). When Martha was impatiently bustling around preparing a meal whilst Jesus was talking, she was gently rebuked for not being like Mary who was sitting quietly listening to the Master (Luke 10:41f)

In the first cameo, Jesus presents his disciples with a saving vision of future glory shortly before his Passion. In our dark times we too need a hope-filled vision of a better future. We need to know that our fragile but tragic world is charged with hidden glory, which will be revealed in God’s good time. But here the all embracing task of the disciple is to listen to Jesus.

In the 2nd gospel incident involving Martha, I wonder if I too find myself not listening, of resisting and wanting to stick with my own preference. It seems to me that the  Lord is often trying to tell us things at the point where we resist. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem and he knew what fate awaited him there.  Jesus needed a time of quiet with his friends and Mary sensed this, but Martha, God bless her, wanted to be kind to Jesus in her own way, which meant being preoccupied with preparing the meal.

I recently read the following one sentenced prayer, “Lord, there have been times when I was more in touch with my own habits and emotions than those of the friends who come to me. Give me antennae like Mary's.”

It was St Augustine who said, “Remember this. When people choose to withdraw far from a fire, the fire continues to give warmth, but they grow cold. When people choose to withdraw far from light, the light continues to be bright in itself but they are in darkness. This is also the case when people withdraw from God.” Surely discipleship means being in the earshot of Jesus Christ!

Lord, I am ready to hear from you. You are the Creator of all, all for the pleasure of your people. Keep my eyes focused on the beauty all around me. Today I ask that you help me be still and see you and hear your voice in unexpected ways. Amen