ANXIOUS AND WORRIED?

This Sunday's gospel passage, the story of Martha and Mary (Lk:10:38-42) is always timely, but doesn't it seem more appropriate than ever in these days when everyone seems anxious and worried about everything? Jesus is speaking n ot just to Marth, the harried hostess, but to to you and me "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one is necessary" (vv. 41-42). 

The Greek word translated as "upset" is powerful. Jesus is pointing out to Martha that her ministry of hospitality has gotten out of hand and has gotten her into an emotional uproar. The word is used of the reaction of the congregation of Christians listening to St. Paul preach when they realize that young Eutychus has just fallen out of the window. (Acts 20:10) (I guess I'd be "upset" if the guy next to me suddenly fell backward off the windowsill and landed two stories below.)

Martha, Jesus seems to be saying, has lost her sense of perspective concerning what's really important. Don't get distracted by defending the busy Martha, saying that someone's got to do the cooking and set the table. Listen instead what Jesus says to her: "Martha, you're starting to go off the rails, you're losing your sense of perspective." Of course the two sisters, who live under the same roof, must live together in harmony, sharing all the household chores, but that's not the point of the story. 

The point is one that all of us need to hear: "Be careful what you allow to become the main focus of your life; don't get so wrapped up in dozens of daily duties that you forget the one and only truly necessary thing: Your relationship with God. Jesus were to look at the way you spend your time, would he say to you what he said to his dear friend, the busy Martha?

 JULY 16  OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

Let me recommend this lovely little article about today's feast, especially the reflection at the end.

Mount Carmel, Israel