Reflection for Thursday, 17th Week in ordinary time
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore
St Martha
Today's Word
John 11 : 27
"Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God..."
Today's Reflection
Today's First Reading speaks of God's love for us and how, 'if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us' (1 Jn 4:12).
Jesus loved both Martha and Mary and he well understood Martha's anxieties. He gently reminded her that she too needed to establish a firm relationship with God (Lk 10:42). Perhaps she began to spend more time listening to Jesus, his teachings, who he was, and what he had come for. She realised that spending time with him would give her the peace and wisdom to accomplish her mundane tasks more efficiently.
Don't we behave like Martha especially when celebrating occasions such as christenings, First Communions, weddings and even ordinations? We become preoccupied with the festivities rather than with the sacrament. If Martha could change so can we.
St Martha serves an inspiration to us, involved in much work and yet seeking to find a home in the heart of the Lord…
St Martha becomes a model to us…
Having human frailties and weakness…
… and yet wanting to tread the path of Holiness.
St Martha proves to be an example to us who gets discouraged by worries and brokenness in life…
… and yet wanting to honour to the Lord with a life of faith and strong belief.
The key is … “To Pay Attention to the Lord”
St Martha perhaps..
… had one Missed Call from the Lord: ” Martha Martha, you are anxious about many things” (Lk 10:41)….
But the next time onwards…she was ready to answer…!
As St Paul says, “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)…
… let us glorify the Lord by our lives.
Resolution
Let's resolve to be like Mary decide to set aside some time every day to be in Jesus' presence, invite him to stay with us, and allow him to transform us.
Happy Feast of St Martha!
GOOD MORNING. HAVE A NICE SAFE DAY.