Passionate
Spirituality- CONTEMPLATION
Passionate
Spirituality is not only to do with developing our relationship with
God but allowing ourselves to be transformed by it and to have our
deepened understanding direct our actions. This takes time as we
meditate on scripture and on the person and actions of Jesus/God
Mary
of Bethany was a contemplative person.
Naturally retiring she was attracted to Jesus and loved to sit at His
feet listening. When Jesus visited the family home she shared with
Lazarus and Martha it was her chief delight. Martha whose expression
of love was shown through service was irritated by her lack of
support. She was unable to understand that Mary was also doing
something worthwhile. But in a situation where so many people were
demanding things from Jesus I think that He was blessed by Mary’s
committed undemanding love.
When
Martha asked Jesus to tell her to help He defended her saying that
Mary had made the best choice.
As
we follow the story of Mary we discover that she was changed by her
time spent with Jesus. When Lazarus died it is Martha that goes to
greet His late arrival but when He asks for Mary, the stay at home
girl, runs to meet Him and later sees Jesus raise Lazarus from death.
She grows from a retiring girl to someone affirmed by spending time
with Him and hearing His approval.
Our
third account of Mary shows a transformed person who takes expensive
perfume into a crowded room and pours it over Jesus’ feet and wipes
them with her loosened hair. Her love is extravagant and embarrassing
to some there. Judas accuses her for her wastefulness but again Jesus
defends her. He appreciates her show of love and her understanding of
His coming situation.
Mary’s
life challenges us to spend time with Jesus contemplating Jesus’
love and ways so that our lives may be transformed too.
Fey Holtum 17-3-13
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