Connections&  
July 22 -- 16th Sunday of the Year

• "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.  There is need of only one thing.  Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."     Luke 10:38-42
  

If I had my child to raise over again
With her children at the doorstep of adulthood, a mother reflects on the vocation of parenthood:
     If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd fingerpaint more, and point the finger less.
     I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.
     I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
     I would care to know less, and know to care more.
     I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
     I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
     I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
     I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
     I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
     I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
     I'd teach less about the love of power,
and more about the power of love.

     [From Full Esteem Ahead by Diane Loomans.]

     
CONNECTION:  Jesus' friends Martha and Mary mirror the challenge confronting every one of us:  how to provide for our practical and pragmatic needs while trying to live happy and meaningful lives.  But, as we all know too well, we can become so consumed by our ambitions and dreams that we unthinkingly sacrifice what is far more meaningful and valuable; we can become so caught up with agendas and schedules that we are soon anesthetized to human feeling and hopelessly cynical to experiencing the very real presence of God in our lives.  We have to consciously choose and seek out "the better part" - the joy and love of family and friends that is the presence of God. ¦