"the better part"

We're having Taizé prayer here tonight, focusing on the preparations all next week for the big crowd coming next weekend. I thought I'd use this reading:

Now as they went on their way, Jesus 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." (Lk 10.38-42)

And it looks like Heather and I are going to lead a session during the gathering. They needed more leaders, and I noticed that there wasn't anything on poverty, though that's supposedly one of the main concerns. Most all of the sessions are about communal living and environmental issues. So here's what we're going to talk about:

Pilgrimage—abandoning communal security to join the poor of Yahweh

Inspired by Jesus and his disciples, as well as the Exodus story, and drawing on seven years experience and thousands of miles walking various highways across this country, Paul and Heather will share stories of pilgrimage as an act of faith. Practical advice will be offered, and lessons learned from months lived on the road in voluntary poverty, without tent or prearranged accommodations, being provided for by God through the people they encountered along the way. Their walks have provided a unique experience of the oneness of the people of God beyond denominational and community boundaries, and the thrill and peace of radical dependence on God rather than on communal organization and ownership. Paul was previously a member of the Dominican Order, and they both have spent years in intentional communities. They are currently preparing a retreat house for the poor here at Plow Creek farm.