Slow down you move to fast; you got to make the morning last!
Life I love you; all is groovy.
These lines are from a Simon & Garfunkel song titled “feeling groovy”. Did you expect to hear about feeling groovy at Mass today? Didn’t think so!
I like the old song because it is a simple reminder that we just keep getting busier and busier all the time. Our lives are full of all the things we need to do and we wind up accumulating lots of stuff that clutter our lives.
And with this busyness comes anxiety and worry. Anxiety, we all know, is really not good for us.
As people of faith, are we anxious and worried about many things? Do we miss out on all that Jesus offers because we are too busy? Do we ever just slow down and seek the better part?
The Gospel reading today gives us the well known story of Jesus’ friends, two sisters, Martha and Mary. Scripture tells us the home is that of Martha and it is located in a village along the way of Jesus’ long return to Jerusalem. Over the past many weeks we have been traveling this road with Jesus to Jerusalem as he seeks to fulfill the Father’s will which leads to Calvary. This chance to visit with his good friends and their neighbors along with his disciples must have been a welcome respite from the journey at hand.
What is sometimes overlooked in this Gospel is the simple fact that Jesus is speaking. Jesus once again fulfills the role of a rabbi, a teacher, by sitting in a place of prominence and addressing those gathered. He was sharing with all present his love, his teachings and his wisdom. Both of the sisters were doing their best to offer hospitality; to be kind to their visiting friend. Martha chooses to busy herself with all the domestic chores. Mary chooses to listen intently to the Lord. Martha has no intention of being rude or unwelcoming to Jesus yet he tells her, “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.” This must have been stinging words to Martha. Yet on further review Jesus was simply saying that He is truly the only one thing needed for a fulfilling, meaningful and fruitful life and we should stay close to Him at all times.
When Jesus utters that well known Martha, Martha he really is saying our names too; in every age and in every place! Jesus asks us in our own lives to examine our busyness and be honest in assessing how much clutter and stuff shuts Him out from our free will to follow Him. Want some signs that this could be happening? How is our prayer life today? Are we able to put aside the busyness, even if it be our non stop serving, and take time to sit at his feet in prayer. That could take on the look of sitting by your bedside in private prayer, reciting a rosary every once in a while or just stopping by church and praying to and with Him in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
When we are working, and all of us work in some way, shape or form, be aware if your work is a hindrance to loving Him. As a Permanent Deacon, I have a secular job too. I’ve been assisting clients and coworkers for almost 16 years at a bank here in the community. Many times, I am aware of my finest ministry just being present with people who all have hopes and dreams and anxiety and worry too.
We have a saying in the diaconate and it applies to all of us; it’s not what you do; it’s who you are. Now this does not mean that service is bad; far from it. But our service to others; even our service in the Church must flow naturally from choosing the better part: our total dependence on and love of Jesus.
In the week ahead we can focus on the better part by concentrating every day on a closer relationship with Jesus. We can be more aware, in the week ahead of our prayers and conversations with Jesus. If possible, take the Bible and read carefully the entire 10th chapter of Luke. It is a great way to reflect on Christ’s journey to the cross; an act of love for you and me! And return this week, with humble hearts and grateful attitude, to the sacraments. Seek his love and mercy in holy confession and then receive him with great joy in the Eucharist. And finally, in the week ahead, we can ask ourselves, as the reality of our busyness begins to filter in; will we focus on who we are as we do what we have to do and will we take the time to choose the better part.
When that anxiety and worry invades our lives this week we can remember our friends, Martha and Mary. And we can sing that silly little tune, which I will paraphrase just a little:
Slow down you move to fast; we got to make our life with Jesus last; Lord I love you; all is groovy!
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