Reflection for Friday 17th Week of Ordinary Time Memorial of Saint Martha 

By

 

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest, Bidar

Today's Gospel Reading 

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. 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 

Often We Find two Camps of Persons, One that Gives More Importance to Work & the Others, to Prayer. 

In fact, It is All a Misnomer of the Truth. The Truth is that Work & Prayer are Not Rivals. They must Go Together because One Needs the Other for Authentication & Approval. 

It is Irreplaceable & Indispensable. But True & Perfect Prayer will Necessarily Lead to Work & Service. Thus, a Life of Faith must Include Sincere & Committed Action.

Saint Martha whom We Venerate Today Reminds Us of This Beautiful Blend of Prayer & Work, Faith & Service. 

The 2 Passages where She is Mentioned Indicate These 2 Aspects.

In the Gospel of Luke, She was so much Engrossed in Work & Service that She would Lose the Intimate Moments of Sitting with JESUS in HIS Company like Her Sister Mary.

At the Episode of JESUS' Visit at Lazarus’ Death, We Find Martha as a Woman of Profound Faith. 

She Believes in JESUS even after a Few Days of Death. She Professes Her Faith in HIM even in such a Painful Situation. 

It is Her Faith that Occasions the Famous Declaration of JESUS about the Resurrection: “I am the Resurrection & the Life. 

How such Faith & Service were Possible? The Answer is Found Explicitly in the 1st Reading from 1 John. 

It is Love that Makes One Faithful in Prayer & Active in Service. 

There was an Intimate Relationship Between JESUS & the Family of Martha, Mary, & Lazarus.

Martha Truly Loved JESUS & She Constantly Abode in HIS Love & HE Abode in Her. 

It is This Love for JESUS that Led Her to Love & Serve Others.

Our Prayer Manifests that We Love GOD & Abide in HIS Love. 

Our Work & Service Manifest that We Love Others for the Sake of that Same Love for GOD. 

True faith is seen not merely in Great Overflows of Praise & Worship or in Impressive Wonders, Miracles, or Preaching, but Much More in Sincere Tears & In an Abandoning Surrender to GOD.

JESUS Points to a Possible Danger of Losing Sight of HIS Presence & Not Giving Priority to HIM Amidst Many Activities. 

What Makes a Disciple is Love for JESUS, Priority to HIM, & Firm Faith in HIM.

Martha Demonstrates This Unswerving Faith in JESUS, Rooted in a Personal Intimacy, even in such a Testing Time as Her Brother’s Death. 

This is the True Faith: to Continue to Cling to GOD Even in Knockout Moments. 

Martha is in Fact a Model for All to be Committed to GOD in Deep Loving Faith & Active Service.

Good Morning

God bless

Have a nice day