The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072915.cfm) reminds me that we should always live our faith.
There is such a term as “Analysis Paralysis.” It is good to understand the situation and study before making a move. However, sometimes we get stuck understanding the situation and analyzing things. We over analyze things and take into consideration all the factors. We want to be overly prepared and want answers to all that can happen. However, this can lead to us not doing anything because we get caught up in analysis and preparation. IF we are in this state, we cannot accomplish anything.
In the spiritual sense, this is true as well. We should not over analyze or simple profess our faith. We should live it. In the bible, it says that “Faith without works is dead.” Yes, it is true. We should spread our faith. We should work for our faith.
The gospel shows us how action oriented Martha is, whose feast we are celebrating today. in one gospel option, we see her doing all the work, serving Jesus (though she lost her focus on Jesus and got stressed and carried away by the tasks). And in the other gospel, we see her maturing in faith. Although she again acted and welcomed Jesus as he was going on his way to their house, it did not stop there. We see not only her actions, but her profession of faith as well.
We see her faith that was translated into action. We see her action based on her faith. Perfect combination.
Martha did not have it all at once. In one story, we see her being action oriented but lacking faith and focus. But Jesus love and compassion eventually led her to improve her faith, thus in the second story, we see her action backed up by faith. We are not perfect, we may lack faith, God’s love will eventually transforms us. We just have to listen and allow him to do that in our lives – like he did in Martha’s.
May we be inspired by St Martha’s faith and action working in hand in hand as we do God’s work.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder and inspiration in St Martha. May I have her faith and action – faith that knows you and trusts in you, and that faith translated into action. Likewise, may my actions for you always be founded on your love, founded on my faith in you, that I may not be distracted with anything or anyone as I work for you. Lord, in a special way, I also lift up to you those celebrating their birthdays today, especially my wife Mady. Thank you for all the blessings and for making your presence alive in her. I pray that you continue to deepen and strengthen our faith and guide and bless all our actions so we can become like St Martha. Amen.
Blessed day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 29, 2015
Memorial of Saint Martha
Lectionary: 403/607
Reading 1 Ex 34:29-35
As Moses came down from Mount Sinai
with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands,
he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant
while he conversed with the LORD.
When Aaron, then, and the other children of Israel saw Moses
and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become,
they were afraid to come near him.
Only after Moses called to them did Aaron
and all the rulers of the community come back to him.
Moses then spoke to them.
Later on, all the children of Israel came up to him,
and he enjoined on them all that the LORD
had told him on Mount Sinai.
When he finished speaking with them,
he put a veil over his face.
Whenever Moses entered the presence of the LORD to converse with him,
he removed the veil until he came out again.
On coming out, he would tell the children of Israel
all that had been commanded.
Then the children of Israel would see
that the skin of Moses’ face was radiant;
so he would again put the veil over his face
until he went in to converse with the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm PS 99:5, 6, 7, 9
R. (see 9c) Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his footstool;
holy is he!
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
and Samuel, among those who called upon his name;
they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them;
they heard his decrees and the law he gave them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our God.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Alleluia Jn 8:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 11:19-27
Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary
to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went to meet him;
but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus,
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,
God will give you.”
Jesus said to her,
“Your brother will rise.”
Martha said to him,
“I know he will rise,
in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus told her,
“I am the resurrection and the life;
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord.
I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,
the one who is coming into the world.”
Or Lk 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me.”
The Lord said to her in reply,
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her.”
No comments:
Post a Comment