GOING DEEPER: Introduction "One thing is needful." Read Luke 10:38–42 Now as they went on their way, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to Him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken from her.” "One thing is needful." What might this one thing be? Martha worked hard to serve Christ. Mary chose to sit at His feet and receive all He had to offer. Imagine yourself as Martha. Christ has entered your home. You are working hard to be a good host, and you look up to find your sister not lifting a finger. What stirs in your heart? Now imagine yourself as Mary. Christ has entered your home, and you are so filled with awe that you set everything aside to sit near Him, holding on to His every word. What does that moment feel like? Gently ask yourself: which of these women does my life more often reflect? "One thing is needful." What is the one thing your heart most needs right now? Spend some quiet time listening for God's guidance. 1. "What do you seek?" Read John 1:35–39 The next day again John was standing with two of His disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” And they said to Him, “Rabbi (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. "What do you seek?" What did John proclaim when he saw Jesus? Sit with what those words, "the Lamb of God," might have meant to those who heard them. What do you think drew the two disciples to follow Jesus? How long did they walk behind Him before He turned and spoke to them? What were they truly seeking? Reread Luke 10:38–42. What was Martha seeking, and how did she respond? What was Mary seeking, and how did she respond? Imagine being in the presence of Christ in the flesh. How do you think you would respond? How do you respond to His presence now: in your own heart, in others, in the Eucharist, in Scripture? "What do you seek?" Spend some time listening to God and simply receiving His love. 2. "I saw you." Read John 1:45–49 Philip found Nathana-el, and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathana-el said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathana-el coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathana-el said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathana-el answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” "I saw you." When did Christ first know Nathanael? Nathanael was known by Christ before they ever met, known first through his prayers. How did he respond to being seen so deeply? How might you respond? Reread Luke 10:38–42. Did Jesus know what was in Martha's heart? Did He know what was in Mary's heart? What does it mean to you that He knows yours? "I saw you." Spend some time sharing with God whatever is on your heart. Then rest with Him twice as long, simply listening, knowing that He sees you. 3. "Do whatever He tells you." Read John 2:1–11 On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in Him. "Do whatever He tells you." Notice how Mary interceded, bringing the need of her friends to Jesus so they would be spared the embarrassment of running out of wine. What does her quiet trust teach you? How did Mary help others come to know Jesus more fully? What unfolded when everyone did as Jesus told them? Reread Luke 10:38–42. Was Martha doing what Jesus asked of her, or were her habits and assumptions guiding her? Was Mary doing what Jesus asked of her, or was she avoiding the work? Recall a time when you chose something good that wasn't actually what Christ was asking of you. When do you find yourself truly following His lead? "Do whatever He tells you." Spend some time with Christ, listening, and then do whatever He tells you. 4. "How can this be?" Read John 3:1–6, 9 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with Him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can this be?” "How can this be?" What was Nicodemus trying to grasp through logic alone? Nicodemus had spent his life studying Scripture and found it hard to let go of his own interpretations. What Jesus offered asked him to approach God in a new way. Do you think he was trusting his own learning more than Jesus' words? Might it be easier for someone without that learning to understand through simple trust? Reread Luke 10:38–42. Jesus speaks to our hearts, and we can choose to receive Him with our minds or with our hearts. Was Martha listening with her intellect or her heart? What was she questioning? Was Mary listening with her intellect or her heart? Was she questioning anything at all? Where in your own life might you be holding on to habits, attitudes, or biases more tightly than to the words God speaks to you? "How can this be?" Spend some time asking God for ears that hear His voice more clearly than your own. "One thing is needful."