Reflection for Tuesday, 27th Week of Ordinary Time 

By

 Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Director, Social Action Movement, Don Bosco Bidar

 Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi


 Today's WORD of GOD


 Luke 10: 38 - 42

 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 

 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

 Today's Reflection


Contemplation & Action

While Zeal & Good Intentions can Drive One to Over-Activity, It is Clear that Good Works are Required from Followers of CHRIST. 

We must Try to Keep a Healthy Balance between Contemplation & Action, for Each of Us Reflects Aspects of Martha & Mary, & Paul. 

In Galatians Paul Appears as a Man of Action, Always Prepared to Spread His Special Vision of the Christian Faith. His Mission was Not to Spend His Life in Contemplative Prayer but rather to “Spread Among the Gentiles the Good News of JESUS.” 

Martha, too, Fits the Pattern of Many Good, Active People who liked to Keep Themselves Busy. 

She is like Others in the Gospel Story who liked to Provide Meals for People, including Simon Peter’s Mother-in-Law (Lk 4: 39) the Father of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15: 22 - 24), & Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (Lk 19: 5 - 6). 

Still, the More Contemplative Spirit also Emerges as also a Valid Option when JESUS Says, “Martha, Martha, U are Anxious & Upset about Many Things; One Thing Only is Required. Mary has Chosen the Better Portion.” 

The “Better Portion,” Praised by JESUS Does Not Cancel the Value of Good Works & Hospitality. It just Asks that We Find Space for Direction & Wisdom, Love & Concern. 

We Need the Blend of the Spirit of Both Martha & Mary.

JESUS was Often Glad of the Hospitality Offered to HIM by Others. But when Martha Welcomed HIM to Her house It Seems that the Visit Caused Her More Anxiety than Joy. So the LORD Said ‘Martha, Martha, U Worry & Fret about so Many Things.’

It’s Possible to Turn a Pleasure into a Chore if We are too Perfectionist. Martha’s Sister Mary Seems the More Retiring of the two, Sitting Quietly in the Background. Yet, This Quieter Sister Sensed how JESUS Wanted to be Welcomed. Rather than Getting into a Flutter of Activity like Martha, She Offered a Listening Ear, Sitting at HIS Feet & Taking in HIS Every WORD.

JESUS Appreciated that Special Kind of Welcome. It is Often the Way in Luke’s Gospel that the More Marginal People are the Ones who Respond Best to the Message. 

On This Occasion, Martha had Something to Learn from Her Sister Mary, as We All Do. Martha was Too Anxious to Feed JESUS, when, Really It was HE who Wanted to Nourish Her with HIS WORD. 

What HE Wants from Us Sometimes is just to Sit & Listen, letting HIM Feed Us with HIS WORD  HIS Very Presence.


Good Morning

Have a lovely day

God bless your intentions

Happy feast of Saint Francis of Assisi -Saint of Peace