The WORD
today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072917.cfm)
reminds me that I should always live my 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 simply 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 and we may lack
faith just like Martha, but 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 another weekend. 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 may that faith be
translated into action. Likewise, may my actions for you always be founded on
your love and 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 life. 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
weekend!
In
Christ,
-g-
July 29, 2017
Memorial of Saint Martha
Lectionary: 400/607
Reading 1EX 24:3-8
and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD,
they all answered with one voice,
"We will do everything that the LORD has told us."
Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and,
rising early the next day,
he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar
and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then, having sent certain young men of the children of Israel
to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice young bulls
as peace offerings to the LORD,
Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls;
the other half he splashed on the altar.
Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people,
who answered, "All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do."
Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying,
"This is the blood of the covenant
that the LORD has made with you
in accordance with all these words of his."
Responsorial PsalmPS 50:1B-2, 5-6, 14-15
God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
"Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
"Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High;
Then call upon me in time of distress;
I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me."
R. Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
AlleluiaJN 8:12
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 11:19-27
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
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."
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