Exodus 34: 29-35; Psalm 99; Matthew 13: 44-46
In one sense these readings have nothing to do with Martha who welcomed Jesus into her home. Moses is described as coming down from his face-to-face encounter with God on Mount Sinai with his skin aglow. Jesus describes the kin-dom of God with two short parables. The kin-dom is like a treasure hidden in a field, like a pearl of great price.
With great joy, the finders sell all to acquire this new beauty. After Martha met, became friends, fed, sheltered Jesus, what must have been the afterglow? Martha knew Jesus himself was a treasure, a pearl. Where was she on Pentecost when the Spirit filled the Twelve, the women….120 in all? How might the Spirit have transformed her, missioned her?
In your imagination, join Martha at the fireplace in her home in Bethany. Jesus is coming. Watch her face, her hands. Ask her what she is feeling, what she wants. Be with her. Watch her interactions with Jesus. When Lazarus dies and she goes to meet Jesus, her face was aglow with anger that he had not come. Yet she knows, really knows, that he is resurrection and life. Ask for this gift of knowing that we too will be raised in glory.
Let our hearts glow with God’s glory, Jesus, as we serve others today as Martha served you. We pray for our far neighbors too, that many Marthas may meet their needs.