At the Feet of Jesus: Lessons From Martha and Mary
Bridget Klawitter, Pastoral Associate
Women can often feel overwhelmed by the demands of family and work, not to mention the expectations of society. While it is great to have a tidy house and meals that could grace the cover of a magazine, it is more pleasing to God to have a heart that seeks him above all else. The theme for our Annual Women’s Retreat- At the Feet of Jesus: Lessons from Martha & Mary- will remind us of the importance of setting priorities and listening for God.
One of the most memorable scenes from the Gospel of Luke takes place in Bethany, when Jesus and his Apostles visit the home of Martha and Mary. In just a few verses, Luke paints a picture that women can all identify with. He shows Martha worried and working hard to entertain the guests and make sure the dinner (and everything) comes out just right. She wants everything to be perfect, and she gets flustered and feels overwhelmed. And then she realizes that her sister Mary is doing absolutely nothing to help! Instead, Mary is sitting calmly at the feet of Jesus, listening intensely to Him. We can just picture Martha’s resentment and disbelief. She’s had enough! So, she marches right into that room, and without even acknowledging her sister, she tells Jesus (notice that she doesn’t ask him nicely, she tells him) to order her sister to get up and get to work, and in the process, she even scolds the Lord himself!
We can all relate to the situation. It’s so real. It’s so typical of us human beings. And amid such a real, typical situation – a little family squabble – Jesus gives us one of his most unforgettable lessons. Today’s world offers us so much! Wherever we go, products and possibilities battle wildly for our attention and our commitment. Visual noise, mind noise, all kinds of distractions. Amidst all the noise, how can we focus on what really matters? The mere fact that Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, shared such an ordinary experience is a powerful lesson. But what he says in response to Martha’s appeal, and what it means, can literally transform our lives. The scripture teaches us to be both a Martha and a Mary, keeping our priorities in the right order no matter how busy our lives can be.
The cost of $190 covers single overnight accommodation ($160 double occupancy), meals, and the use of the facility as well as the retreat materials and activities. To join us for this enriching weekend retreat, please complete the following registration form and return with a deposit to Bridget in the parish office no later than Thursday March 28, 2024, to reserve your room. Space is limited.
Paper registrations will be available in the March 3 bulletin. Check back soon for a link to register online through WeShare.
For questions, contact Bridget Klawitter, Pastoral Associate, at 262-679-1773 ext. 13 or email here.