Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’
Luke 10
Praying with a work of art –
Acknowledge God alongside as you pray with this artwork….
Now focus on the painting in front of you. Let it engage you – affect you.
What inner images might it evoke? What memory comes up? Do you like the painting?
Give it a name which is a feeling word (anger, joy, peace, hurt …. )
Feel invited to speak to the Holy One about how it affects you.
As you stay with the art, with the story in mind, imagine what might have happened before this? What is happening? What is going to happen?
Position yourself somewhere in the painting. What happens as you join in?
Which words from the biblical account do you recall? What do you want to ask Jesus? Let a dialogue flow as you sit together. Stay with the sketch, its characters, its feelings, its message as long as you wish.
As you disengage from the artwork, return to the present, take some deep breaths – and relax.