So, this past Sunday we heard from Luke’s gospel about a time when Jesus visited Martha and her sister Mary. Short story even shorter, Martha is busy trying to do all the tasks that are expected of her as a hostess, while Mary hangs out with Jesus. Martha’s mindset makes sense. Remember that in this time and place how you treat guests is extremely important; the guest-host relationship is sacred. But when Martha complains to Jesus about the uneven division of labor, Jesus basically tells her she shouldn’t be so worried, and that Mary has actually done something quite right.

The 2019 Chicago mayoral election is drawing closer, and one of the leading topics that stands in front of the Chicago voters is the two candidates’ stance around rent control in Chicago apartments. Earlier in February, state lawmakers introduced a bill HB2192 which would repeal the ban, create six, elected, regional rent control boards across the state,  and provide benefits to both landlords and renters.

As we continue in this Lenten journey of slowing down, so we can find time to meet or reconnect with our ‘unhurried God,’ there is so much happening around us that catches our attention and demands a response. I will touch on many recent events but invite you to not get overwhelmed by them, but hold them in your prayers and offer them to God in a way that you are guided to a way you can respond to one or more of them.