Martha was a sister to Lararus and Mary (one of the many Mary's in the Bible) and was known to Jesus.  We find 3 references to her in the Gospels.  In Luke 10:38-42 Jesus and the disciples have come to visit.  Martha being the oldest female in the house is responsible for preparing the meal and offering hospitality which was very important.  Imagine at least 13 people showing up unannounced for supper and no microwave or carry out available!  Meal prep was labor intensive since everything needed to be made from scratch.  And there is Mary just sitting at Jesus' feet when there is all this work to be done.  Martha asks Jesus to speak to Mary, but instead his words are a gentle reproof for Martha.  What a perfect example of how easy it is to get so righteously caught up in busyness that we lose focus on the true meaning of the event.  Can you think of times you've been so busy preparing for guests, a gathering, a birthday party, Christmas that you don't have the time or energy to enjoy the event?  Work needs to be done, but we also need to temper our busyness with the meaning of the event or season.  In John there are two references to Martha.  One is in John11 with death and raising of Lazarus, Martha's brother.  Here she has the emphasis correct when she states, "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it to you." (KJV) She demonstrates her faith in the Lord.  And in John 12:1-9 there is another account of Jesus having dinner in Lazarus' home and the simple statement that "Martha served" (John 12:2 KJV)  May it be said of each of us that we have served.  There is room and need for worker bees, as long as we stay focused on the Lord - not the busyness.

The information available on the parents of Mary is found in a document not included in the Bible.  By legend, or tradition Joachim and Anne were an older childless couple to whom an angel appeared announcing that they would finally have a child.  Anne promised to dedicate that child to God.  That child was Mary.  What is important is not the names or details of a legend, but that fact that Mary had parents who taught her to obey and honor the Lord.  They brought her up to be virtuous.  They brought her up so that she responded to the angel Gabriel, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according thy word."  Luke 1:38 KJV Her parents were role models for her as to how to raise Jesus and were part of the plan to prepare the way of the Lord.
Remember to pray for parents everywhere.  Parenting is not an easy task.  Send up a prayer of thanks for your own parents. Send up a prayer of gratitude to our Father who loves each and everyone of us.  Pray for those who are orphans and those who do not know the love of a parent.  Pray for those whose parents have been taken from them through sickness, accident, war or natural disaster.  Most important - just pray.

Today's Gospel Luke 11:1-13 has Jesus' disciples asking Him to teach them to pray.  The result was the "Our Father", The Lord's Prayer.  But not only did Jesus teach the words to pray, He taught to be persistent in prayer.  God desires a relationship with us, He desires us to come to Him about everything and anything.  And He promises "ask, and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you."  Luke 11:9 GNT  He will provide for your needs (please note:  needs are different from wants).  He will give you strength for the day and for your troubles along the way.  Each day He will be with you.  All He asks is that you come to Him.  "How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"  Luke 11:13 GNV  The Holy Spirit is the Comforter promised when Jesus ascended.  God loves you, my friend!  Please pray for all those affected throughout the world by the weather and earthquakes.  Continue to pray for Haiti and for oil spill in the Gulf.  Become a prayer warrior!  Prayer can change the world, but more importantly, prayer can change you.  Turn to God, He is waiting for you.

Talk about a busy man!  Caesare de Rossi was born in Brandisi in the kingdom of Naples in the 1500's.  Joining the Capuchins at age 16, his life was spent in missions to other countries in Europe basically as a diplomat for the Church.  He traveled to Germany with the start of the Prostestant Reformation and established friaries, and helped Emperor Rudolf II raise an army among the German states to fight against invading Turks.  In Spain his mission was to persuade Philip III to join the Catholic League and he founded a Capuchin house.  Then he was sent to Bravaria as a peacemaker.  He tried to retire from worldly duties but was sent again to Spain to persuade Philip III to avert an uprising.  Overcome by the heat and exhaustion, he died shortly after meeting successfully with the king.  One man who had widespread influence, and in his spare time he wrote collections of sermons and headed the Capuchin order.

Tuesday was the Feast Day of St Apollinaris, Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia in the 2nd century.  Not much is known about his except comments by contemporary church leaders such as St. Jerome.  He is known for having written an "apology" or defense of the Christian faith to Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in an effort to protect believers from persecution.  He pointed out that the 12th Roman Legion was composed of Christians and they were key in Rome's recent vistory over Quadi.  Reportedly the 12th legion was suffering from lack of water when they fell to their knees and petitioned God for help.  This was quickly followed by a rain storm which restored the soldiers and allowed the victory. 

Today's Gospel reading is Luke 10:25-37 and contains the story of the good Samaritan.  Jesus told this parable in answer to a lawyer who asked the above question of Jesus to explain what was written in the law regarding loving your neighbor as yourself.  Now he asked this question to put Jesus in a hard position, but the answer is quite plain.  If you recall the parable, a man had been robbed and beaten and left by the side of the road half dead.  Two righteous men walked by, a priest and a Levite who went so far as to cross to the other side of the road.  They did not want to become ritually unclean by going to his aid; they were concerned that they might become contaminated and then not be able to go to temple or whereever and would have to go through a cleansing ritual.  Sounds like they were pretty concerned with self.  Then the Samaritan came by and immediately, without thought to self, showed mercy.  He did not care who this man was, he only saw his pain and desired to help.  What is interesting, the priest and the Levite would have totally ignored the Samaritan believing he was of no value.  But who was the true neighbor?  The one who showed mercy without regard to self, as God shows mercy.  As Jesus died on the cross for us.  Who is your neighbor?  Any one in the world in need.  Remember to pray for all those in need and try to go out of your way to be kind to all.  God bless you!

Praise God for our freedom! 
Praise God for our land!
May God bless us richly
If with Christ we stand!

As you celebrate today midst cook-outs and fireworks take time to remember the blessings we have.  Take time to remember those who have fought to keep our country free.  But also remember that it is only through Christ that we can find true freedom from the slavery of sin.  We must never forget the source of our freedom.

"Our fathers' God, to thee, Author of liberty, to thee we sing;  long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light; protect us by thy might, Great God, our King"  4th verse of "America" by Samuel F. Smith 

"One of the twelve  disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!'  Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.'  A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them.  The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.'  Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side.  Stop your doubting, and believe!'  Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!'  Jesus said to him, 'Do you believe because you see me?  How happy are those who believe without seeing me!"  John 20:24-29 GNT
Through Thomas we can understand our own doubts.  He personally knew Jesus, had witnessed His miracles, and had his close companions tell him they had seen the risen Lord and yet he Thomas doubted.  May we all follow the direction of Jesus to "stop your doubting and believe!"

Wow!  Where did this week go?  How is it July already?  Monday June 28th was the feast day for St. Irenaeus, a bishop who was born in Asia Minor in the 2nd century.  At the time the early church was being persecuted by Gnostics who claimed a secret knowledge of Jesus known only to a few.  Irenaeus's writings refuted their teachings, comparing them to the teachings of Christ and exposed the errors of gnostism.  Tuesday, the Solemnity of Peter and Paul.  These two are among my favorite saints because they illustrate how God can take someone imperfect and use them to His Glory.  Peter was the first to proclaim Christ but also the first to deny Him.  Paul was there when Stephen was stoned and as a Roman citizen was actively involved in persecution of Christians, yet God chose him to be the Apostle to the Gentiles.  (There is hope for us yet!)  Wednesday, The 1st Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church commemorates all the Christians Nero had put to death, blaming them for the burning of Rome when rumors arose that he, Nero, was responsible.  They experienced gruesome deaths serving as living torches, being torn apart by animals, crucifixiton, etc.  And this was 64-67 AD before Peter and Paul came to Rome.  Thursday, Blessed Junipero Serra (1713-1784)  If you visit California and go to San Francisco, San Diego San Juan Capistrano, you will be visiting the site of missions he was instrumental in founding.  Leaving an academic life in Spain Junipero Serro came to Mexico as a missionary, traveled up and down the coast baptizing over 6000 native peoples and confirming 5000.  He helped established 9 missions and was the inspiration for 12 more.  Not only that he also worked to improve the quality of life for native peoples who were viewed as less than human by the Spaniards.  He was filled with the zeal of the Lord and held to the motto, "Always forward, never back."  And now it is 1st Friday.  Whew!  Please continue to pray that the oil spill be resolved and for those affected by it and by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Alex.  Have a blessed weekend!