Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Today’s Gospel is the story of Mary and Martha who have welcomed Jesus into their home. Martha is slaving away in the kitchen. Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to him. Martha is angry at Mary’s lack of assistance. But Jesus says that Mary has chosen the better part.
What does this mean for us?
Most of us are a combination of Martha and Mary to one degree or another.
There are times when we are called to get up and do the heavy lifting, like Martha. And there are times when we are called to sit and listen to the voice of Jesus speaking to our hearts, like Mary. Hopefully every day gives us enough time to contemplate the presence of Jesus in our lives, the better part, even if for only for a few moments in the car on the way to work.
If there is one thing I believe we need today more than ever, however, is to recapture the discipline of prayer. As Americans we tend to be hard workers. We take pride in what we have accomplished, and rightfully so. But there must be a balance in life between work and rest, action and prayer.
Remember, at one time, Sunday was a day of rest and contemplation. No longer. Now we go at our busy lives 24/7 without much of a breather. And, I have heard people say to me “I am too busy to pray” Then, to that, I say, “You are too busy.” You are being too much of a Martha! Sometimes I know that I am in that category.
Like Mary, our society has become “anxious and worried about many things.” We don’t have time to think before we speak — and we can say some pretty nasty things as a result of our impetuousness. But, more dangerous than that, we don’t always take the time to pray before we think.
Prayer has a way of softening hearts. It makes us ask: “What do you want me to do Lord?” and “How do you want me to do it?” Prayer gives us the spirit of the Lord which is patience, kindness, meekness, and compassion. Even if we are called to do difficult things, prayer gives us courage to do what we must do with great love.
Maybe the Lord wants us to have our feet in both worlds. That would mean that we take what we hear from the Lord in prayer and then put it into practice in our daily lives.
Let’s ask the Lord to help us be servants like Martha and contemplatives like Mary.
Have a blessed week everyone!