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Martha and Mary
Today’s scripture reading relates to two sisters and a story that is very near and dear to my heart. Now, I think we all know this story from the Bible. There are two sisters who invite Jesus into their home and one sister, Martha, spends the entire time cleaning and cooking for Jesus while her sister, Mary, is sitting at the feet of Jesus simply listening to Him talk. This does not go over well with Martha and she goes to Jesus asking Him to make her sister help her. Jesus ends up gently rebuking Martha telling her that Mary has chosen the better part.
Well, let me tell you, this story has always weighed heavily on my heart and I feel so much empathy for Martha! All she wants to do is serve Jesus and her way of serving Jesus is by doing instead of sitting at the feet of Jesus. Can you imagine my surprise when so many years after being confirmed I realized that is why I actually chose Martha as my confirmation saint? It was not because I had aspirations of opening up my own restaurant one day, but because I am too dang stubborn to simply sit at the feet of Jesus and stop trying to do so much for Him.
I know, I know, you are probably thinking “but that isn’t today’s reading!” Well, I had to get all of that out into open air before I get to my main point. In today’s reading, Jesus is again invited into the home of Martha and Mary and again Martha is serving, but something has changed this time. Earlier in the Bible Martha had a point of conversion where she identified Jesus as the Lord and Savior and she knew in her heart that Jesus had the power to raise her brother from the dead.
This is a very powerful moment for Martha because she understands the glory of Jesus and the fact that He is the Son of God. Her faith ends up putting her entire life into place to the point where now she can serve, but it is a service out of faith and not simply out of duty. This is the kind of faith we need to have in living out our daily lives.
Reflect: Yes, there are points in our days where we are doing things that feel like they are out of duty, but through our faith we are able to do every single act and job out of love. Think about this, what if you offered every act of service as an act of love to our Lord in your daily lives?
Act: Think about the amount of love that we could send to the Lord simply by doing the mundane and routine things we have to do every day! That is my encouragement for today, offer every moment and every act of service as an act of love and faith to our Lord. He will reward you in ways that you cannot even imagine.
Prayer for Holiness
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love only what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me so, O Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. Amen.
Prayer for God’s Blessing of One’s Daily Work
O Lord, my God, Creator and Ruler of the universe, it is Your Will that human beings accept the duty of work.
May the work I do bring growth in this life to me and those I love and help to extend the Kingdom of Christ.
Give all persons work that draws them to You and to each other in cheerful service.
I unite all my work with the Sacrifice of Jesus in the Mass that it may be pleasing to You and give You glory.
I beg Your Blessing upon all my efforts. With Saint Joseph as my example and guide,
help me to do the work You have asked and come to the reward You have prepared.Amen
