You, O God, Are My Pace Setter

You, O God, are my pace setter… I shall not rush.
You make me stop for quiet intervals.
You provide me with images of stillness which restore my serenity.
You lead me in the way of efficiency through calmness of mind and your guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret, for your Presence is here.
Your timelessness, your all importance will keep me in balance.
You prepare refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity by anointing my mind with your oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Truly harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours for I shall walk according to your pace, O God, and dwell in your house forever.

This translation of Psalm 23, found in Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanne Weaver, describes the author’s desire for God to help find a healthy balance in daily living. I have the same desire. Yet at times I get distracted by many things and forget to take time to relate with the Holy. At such times, the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 reminds me to stop and return to relationship with Jesus.

Listen – Read Luke 10:38-42

In this passage, Luke describes the different attitudes of two sisters – Mary and Martha – towards Jesus. Martha busily prepares a feast for visiting guests while Mary sits and listens to Jesus teach. Certain translations of this passage (New Jerusalem Bible for example) suggest Martha owns the house in which she, her sister Mary, and her brother Lazarus live. The twelve male disciples are probably present as well. Close your eyes and imagine the scene. With whom do you most identify? Martha – owner and hostess – who seeks to cook and provide hospitality? Mary, who sits and listens at Jesus’ feet – a position usually reserved for male disciples alone? Jesus, who teaches them all? The male disciples who sit and listen? Or do you simply observe the scene?

Reflect – Read Luke 10:25-37

The text which precedes the story of Mary and Martha gives us insight into the meaning of Jesus’ words. The passage follows the story of the Good Samaritan in which Jesus teaches that to be a good neighbor, we must treat one another with kindness and help those in need. In the Mary and Martha text, Jesus shows that the attitude with which we do our good works is also very important. Jesus never tells Martha that her actions are wrong. Rather, he points out that in being “distracted by many things,” Martha misses the chance to relate with him. Mary chooses “the better part” because she takes the time to relate to with him.

Q: What distracts you from taking time to relate to Jesus?

Connect

For most of my life, I have identified much more with Martha than with Mary. I am a detail-oriented person who uses lists to get organized. During those times I’ve been knee deep in “to do lists,” I’ve practiced a prayer form I’ll call “noisy contemplation.” This prayer form entails inviting God into the busyness of my daily life – in line at the grocery store, driving the car, hearing a news story etc. Since having had children, my alone time has become a rare commodity. I have found myself craving time alone to “be still and know” God, as the writer of Psalm 46 so aptly puts. I think taking time to “be still and know” is the prayer form to which Mary beautifully witnesses. Whatever prayer form we practice – noisy contemplation or being still and knowing – the example of Mary teaches us to take the time to relate to God, and then have our actions flow from that relationship.

Q: Think of your daily schedule. What form of prayer speaks to you at this time in your life?

Act

• Take time to reflect upon how your prayer life informs (or doesn’t) your daily living.

• Consider the following ways that may help you remember to take time to relate with Jesus:

– Make time for a “mini moment” of being still and knowing by focusing upon your breath while counting to ten.

– Decide upon an action that you repeat throughout the day, like opening doors, or washing hands, to remind you to pause and invite Jesus anew into your life.

– Light a candle at meal times to represent your desire for relationship with Jesus.

• Get creative and have fun imagining the different ways you can invite Jesus to be your pace setter and guide through the land of daily distractions.

Note: This translation of the original Japanese version of Psalm 23 has been edited to address God directly rather than in the third person, thereby making it inclusive and more personal.