Word to the Wise
Tuesday, October 9, 2018 - Tuesday in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gal 1:13-24 and Luke 10:38-42]"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." [Luke]
OCTOBER 9 ST, LOUIS BERTRAND, o.p.
The Martha-Mary contrast is ever a source of reflection, even in monasteries that are dedicated to contemplative life! The contrast can be collective and individual at the same time. We will all have, in varying degrees, some Martha and some Mary in us. A great Master of the Dominican Order, Fr. Damian Byrne OP(dec.) once wrote that it would be a tragedy if we get so busy doing the work of the Lord that we forget the Lord of the work! On the other hand, I think of the story of the paralytic who is brought to Jesus by friends who figure out how to get him up on the roof and lower him down through the ceiling so he can get to Jesus. Those were definitely "Martha-types!"
On the collective side, we can become so caught up as a group in the maintenance of an institution that the purpose of the institution is forgotten. This can be a problem in a parish or a monastery or other church work. Keeping a balance and supporting the various necessary tasks that everyone can come together as disciples at the Lord's feet will be a challenge,. As individuals, we will face the same challenge. As an itinerant preacher, I have to deal with the travel and organizational challenges to make the preaching event possible. And there are the internet challenges of different locations that make getting this reflection done every morning a constant concern.
Martha and Mary deserve our attention and affection! AMEN