16TH SUNDAY, 17 JULY 2022, GEN 18.1-10; COL 1. 24-28; LUKE 10. 38-42
Thrust: Prayer and work, not dichotomous but harmonious!
Indicative: The beauty and joy of life consist not in dichotomy and conflict between prayer and work but in harmony
1. The story of Mary and Martha in the gospel is a familiar one. In the first place, we should avoid a simplistic interpretation that categorises Martha and Mary as representatives of work and prayer. That will pose work and prayer as two opposites and conflicting polarities. There is no undervaluing or condemning work just because Jesus rebukes Martha.
2. Apparently it is a story of two individuals who were very close to Jesus. But it is in fact the story of constant tension and struggle between prayer and work, symbolized by Mary and Martha respectively. This is a very real experience for everyone. It is not just a practical problem but an existential problem. It is a constant pull between spiritual concerns and secular tasks.
3. The crux of the message is: at no moment, for no reason one should lose focus on Jesus and displace the priority to him. Nothing can become an alternative or a substitute for the personal encounter, experience, and intimacy with Jesus. No kind of work however good it be, no amount of work however much it be, should be an excuse to neglect the presence of the Lord in prayer.
4. We shall not fall into the same temptation of Martha to rate ourselves and our work better than others. We shall not be self-righteous feeling that only I am right and doing the right thing. We shall not judge and blame them as not doing the right thing. We shall not complain to the Lord himself. Like Martha, we shall not be distracted with much serving to the neglect of the person of the Lord himself. We shall not be anxious and troubled about many things.
5. What is needed is that both prayer and action should go together. We should not neglect work and duties in the name of prayer and spiritual duties. Similarly, we should not neglect or reduce our spiritual concerns under the pretext of heavy loads of work. One should not throw away or substitute the other. Both complement and support each other. Prayer breathes "spirit" into the "flesh" of works. And work supplies "flesh" to the spirit of prayer.
6. Nevertheless, we should bear in mind that as followers of Christ, prayer is our highest priority. By prayer we mean not just a number of prayers or spiritual activities. It means essentially an intimate communion, loyalty, and commitment to Christ. Nothing can be equal or substitute or alternative to this primacy. Like Mary, we should learn to “sit at the Lord’s feet and listen to him”. This is the one thing necessary and we shall “choose this good portion”.
7. Especially in our own times, where there is the viral trend of activism, where people are so negligent toward God and the spiritual because of their worldly pursuits, preoccupations, and self-interests, we need to reiterate this priority of prayer and devotion. In fact, true prayer and spirituality certainly lead one to be more responsible and hardworking.
8. This is what we see in the second reading from the letter to the Colossians 1. 24-28. We may pick up some ingredients of such a harmonious and integrated life of prayer and service. We shall never lose sight of our vocation as a unique gift of God. We are called to be ministers of Christ. We should be deeply imbued with the spirit of “stewardship”.
9. We shall always remember that our life is a selfless sharing in the very life and mission of Christ. Our life is for the sake of his Body, the church. Accordingly, we shall rejoice even in the sufferings for the sake of the Lord and for the benefit of the people. Our focus is always on him.
10. We will be wiser to set our focus always on the Lord, to give him the topmost priority, and to conduct all our affairs in sublimation and in conformity to God’s closeness. Our sole concern is to make known his word, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom. Our ultimate aim and objective is “that we may present everyone ‘mature’ in Christ”.
11. Work built on and guided by prayer, becomes deep and productive. Work devoid of prayer runs the risk of becoming shallow and superficial. Prayer is not a waste of time or energies. Rather it is the source that gives us the right direction, orientation, and energy for all our works
Imperative: Our life can be more positive and productive if we grow more harmonious and not dichotomous.
(REFLECTION 2)
Clarity of priorities is the vital issue
1. The point is not who is right, who is wrong; not even whom Jesus praised or blamed. It is also not posing prayer and work as two opposites as if Martha represents work and Mary, prayer. In fact, no one may be fully a Martha or a Mary. There is something of Martha and Mary in every one of us. In this story, we do not take away the merit of the good work of Martha. But the vital issue is the clarity of priorities.
2. The first priority in life is relationship and closeness with God. In fact, it is not so much that we must be too bothered about spiritual things and neglect other important duties. It will be too wrong. But, rather, it is a caution and reminder for us: that we may be so much caught up with so many tasks, activities, and preoccupations, that we neglect or ignore the duty and value of prayer.
3. That is what is happening in the present times: Many have so much to do, so many things to do, but very little for God and the spiritual. Many are ready to find time, make adjustments or sacrifices for the sake of some profit, or friends or work, or office or some fun, or even for family, but how many are really ready to take some real trouble for spiritual matters? In the case of a good number, prayer or church-going is a matter of mere tradition or ritual, or in the case of some, it is a waste of time or botheration.
4. Therefore, discipleship as clarity of priorities would imply that nothing can be a substitute, an alternative, or an equal for the value of the Lord in the life of a disciple. Is this not the sense with which Paul affirms emphatically that “in comparison to the priceless value of knowing Jesus and being with him, everything else is considered rubbish and garbage” (cf. Phil 3. 8).
5. In the gospel passage, see what happened with Martha, without the spirit of focus on God and shifted away from Jesus’ presence. Martha lost the clarity of priorities, and as a result, she did not pay due attention to Jesus and was not fully focused on Jesus’ presence. And as a result, we see a series of things happening: Martha is distracted, disturbed, agitated, annoyed, irritated, exhausted, dissatisfied, blaming, and complaining.
6. On the other hand, Mary was clear of her priorities, and she was totally focused. Jesus, his presence, sitting with him, listening to him, enjoying his presence – this was her greatest priority. In fact, this is the only one thing that is needed and the better part, and she has chosen it (v. 42). As a consequence of this clarity of priority and focus, she is serene, undisturbed, satisfied, happy, humble, clear and re-charged.
No comments:
Post a Comment