Episcopal Life Online Newslink July 18, 2007
Episcopal Life Online is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.
Today's ELO Newslink includes:
* DIOCESAN DIGEST - CENTRAL NEW YORK
* DIOCESAN DIGEST - MASSACHUSETTS: Diocese announces departure of West Newbury rector * SPIRITUAL REFLECTION - Eighth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 11) - Year C [RCL]
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DIOCESAN DIGEST
CENTRAL NEW YORK
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_88237_ENG_HTM.htm
MASSACHUSETTS: Diocese announces departure of West Newbury rector http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_88238_ENG_HTM.htm
More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_ENG_HTM.htm
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SPIRITUAL REFLECTION
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 11) - Year C [RCL] Amos 8:1-12 or Genesis 18:1-10a; Psalm 52 or Psalm 15; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42
By Anthony F.M. Clavier
[Episcopal Life] Jesus had special friends. Among them were Mary and Martha of Bethany and their brother Lazarus. Some modern scholars think that Lazarus was "the Beloved Disciple" of the Gospel and the Epistle, and the disciple at the foot of the cross. We won't really know until we are in the next life. Then we can ask!
The story of Mary and Martha and their encounter with Jesus is much loved. In the days when church task forces were called guilds, many a parish had a SS Mary and Martha Guild. Whether the members were asked which saint they wished to follow is an open question.
Mary wanted to know about Jesus, to get to know him and to learn from him. While she was doing this, Martha was left with the household chores, including hospitality to this journeying teacher who had arrived on their doorstep. You can imagine Martha preparing the bedroom, fussing in the kitchen, grumbling and mumbling to herself that she has to do all the work while her sister plays up to their famous guest. Finally Martha can bear it no longer. Imagine her bursting onto the scene to the surprise of Jesus and her sister, and then letting loose her resentment about her sister's laziness to Jesus, not caring what impression she was making.
Full reflection: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_87870_ENG_HTM.htm
More Spiritual Reflections:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_ENG_HTM.htm