Some Random Thoughts This Sunday
So, I realized I hadn’t done a post in a while. Whoops. This past week was rather crazy. For those of you in the Macon area, you may realize I was a part of a group called #MPact. We met Monday night, and by Thursday evening had a panel of young people in the area plus attorney David Dorer and around 100+ in attendance. We had hit nearly every local news outlet to promote our event. Oh yeah- what was it about? Racial issues in Macon. Along with the judicial system and youth empowerment.
We got some fantastic feedback from our audience as well as plenty of conversation via social media. We also received a lot of pressure to not to the event from outside sources.
As if that wasn’t enough, I started a new business gained one major client and had my kids with me a majority of the time this week. Oh and I have someone in my personal life who continues to let me know the negative things people (supposedly) say about me. I’m sure this person thinks they are doing me a favor, but they aren’t. It’s tremendously hurtful and I wish they would stop.
This morning, I was tired and not in the mood to go to church. At all. But apparently I had volunteered to substitute for someone else to serve as one of the lay ministers. So, up I got- and got there with about five minutes to spare.
As it usually is, whenever I least feel like going to church is when I need it the most. Part of being a lay minister and participating in the service is to do so without calling attention to oneself. Which also ties in to the sermon today. Today’s gospel was regarding the story of Martha and Mary serving Jesus when he came to visit. To put this in a massive nutshell, Martha resents her sister for not taking up her traditional role and assisting in preparing the dinner- but instead focusing solely on Jesus- and asks Jesus to rebuke Mary. He does not do this, but instead points out to Martha that perhaps she should focus more on her guest- and not about being busy and preparing for this dinner.
What I take away from this is, sometimes we need to not just serve- but to also sit back and listen. Or as Father Hal said today, not just to breathe the air but to breathe it deeply.To really take it in.
That’s very hard for me in my everyday life, but when I am at the altar I am grateful to serve quietly, without notice. One of my favorite parts of my ministry is when I wash the hands of the priests (which is really just pouring the Holy water over their fingers as I hold the bowl). It’s probably one of the most subservient things one can do in the service, but I love it. Not sure if I can totally explain why.
This week, I am going to attempt to bring the part of me that serves my church ministry in to my everyday life. To try and take a step back more. To breathe the air deeply. I will probably fail, I always have too many projects on my plate, but I am human and that’s ok. However I will try.
Love to all yall…
Molly
