This week's theme: Jesus visits the house of Martha and Mary

Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3): Younger children may be surprised to learn that some people are unfairly excluded because of things outside their control. Teach children that Jesus invites all people to believe in and follow him.
Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6): Today's children are accustomed to women working in all professions, including politics, but they may not realize that until rather recently, this was not always the case. Explaining to them how women's roles in society have changed can help them understand the radical new role that Jesus was presenting to women—discipleship.
Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8): People at this age have been studying geography and should have some basic knowledge of the area of the country in which they live. Use the concept of state boundaries to point out how we use boundaries to exclude people and how Jesus broke through the boundaries of his time.
Scripture: Luke 10:38-42 As they went on their way, they came to a town where a woman named Martha lived. She cared for Jesus in her home. Martha had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to all He said. Martha was working hard getting the supper ready. She came to Jesus and said, 'Do You see that my sister is not helping me? Tell her to help me.' Jesus said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. Only a few things are important, even just one. Mary has chosen the good thing. It will not be taken away from her.' Luke 10: 38-42
 
As Jesus and his disciples were traveling, they came to a town where Martha lived with her sister Mary. The sisters welcomed Jesus into their home and Martha immediately began to work very hard to get supper ready for Jesus. While Martha busied herself in preparing the meal, Mary just sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to his teaching.
Martha was upset that her sister was not helping her, so she went to Jesus and said, "Do you see that my sister is not helping me? Tell her to help me."
Jesus answered, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about too many things. Only a few things are important, perhaps just one. Mary has chosen that one thing and I will not take it away from her."
Many of us make the same mistake that Martha made. We get so busy working, going to school, playing, or watching television that we often forget the most important thing. We forget to spend time with Jesus! We must be very careful that we don't get so busy doing good things that we leave out the best! After all, Jesus is the most important thing!
Dear Jesus, help us to remember that you are the most important thing in our lives. Don't let us get so busy with other things that we forget to spend time with you. Amen.
 
My Promise to Jesus: Jesus, I will take time to listen to others and truly spend time with them.
 
Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life.
Or reflect and possibly journal on the following question: Identify any stereotypes or policies in our society that you think are contrary to Jesus’ view of women.
 
Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:
http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/
Cactus Hotel
Written by Brenda Z Guiberson
ISBN: 13:978-0805029604
 
Family Discussion: In our families and homes, we have boundaries. Some are geographical; we may have our own room or part of a room that we want others to stay out of. Parents may have home offices that are off-limits to children. Some boundaries are behavioral; children may speak one way to their friends, but they are not allowed to speak the same way to their parents or other adults. A Curfew is another type of boundary, whose purpose is to protect children's safety. 
Talk about examples of boundaries in your family. For the most part, these boundaries are good. Talk about how sometimes we set up boundaries for the wrong reasons. For example, if we are angry with a sibling, we may draw a line and tell him or her to stay on his or her side. Explain that when we use boundaries to exclude others, we are being hurtful. Point out how in Jesus' time, some boundaries were used to unfairly exclude people. One example was from last week's Gospel: Samaritans. This Sunday's Gospel has another example: women. Talk about how the role of women has changed in your lifetime. Explain that in this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus breaks down a barrier that kept women from being disciples.
Read aloud Luke 10:38-42. Talk about how Martha is conditioned by the existing boundaries of her society, but how her sister, Mary, breaks through that boundary and becomes a disciple of Jesus. Talk about how you can work as a family to break down boundaries that separate people. Point out that when we pray the Lord's Prayer, we call God “Our Father,” meaning that we are all his children; no boundaries should separate us. Conclude this time together by praying the Lord's Prayer.