Mary chose the "better part," as Jesus described it, a part that shall not be taken away. Jesus' words tell us to stop and take time to be quiet, listen and enjoy His presence. Mary reminds us that the secret place at Jesus' feet is also time at the Father's table, feeding on His warmth, His words and His love. - Neal Lozano, Abba's Heart
Too often we try to feed others without first being fed. This never works. Elsewhere Jesus says, You have received freely; freely give! (Mt. 10:8) Until we have sat as His feet and eaten His banquet, we have nothing to share.
In the book, this discussion is in the section about what happens after the Prodigal has returned home. We sometimes get the impression that once we've been restored to our relationship with the Father, the hard work is over. Alternately, we think that the hard work consists of the sort of thing Martha is about. But the lack of real time with the Father is what makes us prodigals to begin with, and we shall wander off again without it.
Some parents obsess over getting the perfect family pictures. They get the picture, but they miss the moment. - ibid.
This has been me. Sometimes we are more intent on presenting an image that is not true than enjoying the reality that is. I so hope that I am finished with this dynamic.
I love the words that Jubilee prays on the tenth station: "Strip me of my illusions to know that my true dignity far exceeds any image I might present."
We cannot sit at Jesus' feet, nor partake of the Father's abundance, if we are hiding behind a mask of self-sufficiency.
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