In a world of constant motion, can you make space to simply be with God? This contemplative session explores the story of Mary and Martha through scripture, prayerful stillness, and Vermeer’s luminous art. Come, sit at Jesus’s feet—and listen for what God might be whispering in the quiet.

Luke 10:38-41

In this episode of Art and Prayer, we reflect on the gift of stillness—not as a technique for calming ourselves, but as a sacred posture of openness to the Divine. Stillness, as Pastor Rob reminds us, is not the goal of contemplative prayer, but the doorway through which we enter deeper relationship with God. Quoting Juliet Benner and Cynthia Bourgeault, we are reminded that stillness is not an end in itself. It is a means of becoming spiritually attentive—of allowing space for God’s presence to be known and felt.

Psalm 46 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” These ancient words call us not to passivity, but to spiritual perception—to the kind of knowing that arises not from thought, but from presence. Pastor Rob invites us to receive this stillness as a grace, not something we must force, but something into which we are gently led.

Our scripture reading draws us into the familiar story of Mary and Martha. One is busy with preparations; the other sits quietly at Jesus’ feet. Rather than rush to judgment, we’re invited to slow down and enter the scene with imagination. What might it look like if you were to paint this story? How would you arrange the light, the posture, the feeling in the room?

We then turn to Johannes Vermeer’s quiet masterpiece Christ in the House of Martha and Mary. The painting is rich in symbolism and storytelling—subtle gestures, warm light, and intimate expressions draw us into the scene. Jesus gestures toward Mary in affirmation; Martha stands nearby with a basket of bread and a concerned expression, her practical love evident. Mary, in vibrant clothing, sits close to Jesus, her posture calm and ready, attentive to his presence. The triangle of their gaze and bodies becomes a visual sermon—on presence, relationship, and the sacred balance of action and contemplation.

As we dwell with the image, we are invited to consider our own lives. When are we caught in Martha’s busyness? When do we make space for Mary’s stillness? What distracts us from being fully present to God? Where do we sense an invitation to pause, to listen, to rest?

The session concludes not with a final answer, but with an invitation to carry your reflections into the rhythms of your life. Stillness is not always found in silence or solitude; sometimes it comes in a moment of intentional pause amid the day’s noise. Wherever you find yourself, may you hear again the voice of Jesus, gently calling you to sit, to listen, and to know that you are in the presence of Love.