8/7

MINUTE MEDITATIONS  Feed the Hungry Jesus's humanity and His biological need to be fed Himself gives power and personal force to His teaching that when we feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, we do it to Him. — from Epic Food Fight  St. Cajetan (1480-1557) Like most of us, Cajetan seemed headed for an "ordinary" life—first as a lawyer, then as a priest engaged in the work of the Roman Curia. His life took a characteristic turn when he joined the Oratory of Divine Love in Rome, a group devoted to piety and charity, shortly after his ordination at 36. When he was 42 he founded a hospital for incurables at Venice. At Vicenza, he joined a "disreputable" religious community that consisted only of men of the lowest stations of life—and was roundly censured by his friends, who thought his action was a reflection on his family. He sought out the sick and poor of the town and served them. The greatest need of the time was the reformation of a Church that was "sick in head and members." Cajetan and three friends decided that the best road to reformation lay in reviving the spirit and zeal of the clergy. (One of them later became Paul IV.) Together they founded a congregation known as the Theatines (from Teate [Chieti] where their first superior-bishop had his see). They managed to escape to Venice after their house in Rome was wrecked when Emperor Charles V's troops sacked Rome in 1527. The Theatines were outstanding among the Catholic reform movements that took shape before the Protestant Reformation. He founded a monte de pieta ("mountain [or fund] of piety") in Naples—one of many charitable, nonprofit credit organizations that lent money on the security of pawned objects. The purpose was to help the poor and protect them against usurers. Cajetan's little organization ultimately became the Bank of Naples, with great changes in policy.   Stories: When Cajetan was sent to establish a house of his congregation in Naples, a count tried to prevail upon him to accept an estate in lands. He refused. The count pointed out that he would need the money, for the people of Naples were not as generous as the people of Venice. "That may be true," replied Cajetan, "but God is the same in both cities." Comment: If Vatican II had been summarily stopped after its first session in 1962, many Catholics would have felt that a great blow had been dealt to the growth of the Church. Cajetan had the same feeling about the Council of Trent (1545-63). But, as he said, God is the same in Naples as in Venice, with or without Trent or Vatican II. We open ourselves to God's power in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, and God's will is done. God's standards of success differ from ours. Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M. Presence I remind myself that I am in your presence O Lord. I will take refuge in your loving heart. You are my strength in times of weakness. You are my comforter in times of sorrow. Freedom Everything has the potential to draw forth from me a fuller love and life. Yet my desires are often fixed, caught, on illusions of fulfillment. I ask that God, through my freedom may orchestrate my desires in a vibrant loving melody rich in harmony.   Consciousness Knowing that God loves me unconditionally, I look honestly over the last day, its events and my feelings. Do I have something to be grateful for? Then I give thanks. Is there something I am sorry for? Then I ask forgiveness. The Word of God Reading 1 jer 31:31-34 The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers: the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant, and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives how to know the LORD. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more. Responsorial Psalm ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19 R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. R. Create a clean heart in me, O God. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you. R. Create a clean heart in me, O God. For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. R. Create a clean heart in me, O God. Gospel mt 16:13-23 Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." Conversation Remembering that I am still in God's presence, I imagine Jesus himself standing or sitting beside me, and say whatever is on my mind, whatever is in my heart, speaking as one friend to another. Conclusion Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,  world without end. Meditation: Matthew 16:13-23 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org | Wrong date? Set your time zone. Saint Sixtus II, Pope, and Companions, Martyrs He strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah. (Matthew 16:20) Thanks to a wonderful revelation, Peter has realized and boldly confessed that his friend Jesus is the Messiah, Son of the living God. Surely he and the other disciples need to share this fantastic discovery with everyone they meet! But Jesus disagrees. "Don't tell anyone," he says. Much ink has been spilled trying to explain this "Messianic secret." Perhaps it wasn't yet the right time for the disciples to announce who Jesus really was. Perhaps his companions had a mistaken notion of who the Messiah should be. Many in Israel at the time expected a warrior-king who would drive out the occupying Roman army and establish Jerusalem as a great world capital. So maybe it was better for the Twelve to keep quiet than to risk having large numbers of people take up arms and flock to join a movement that Jesus had no intention of leading. As we can see in the Gospels, even the disciples still had a long road ahead of them before they could begin to comprehend that he had come as a Messiah who would bring salvation through suffering, not military victory. They would only grasp this after Jesus' death and resurrection. These are all important points and valid reasons why the disciples needed to remain quiet. But today's first reading offers us another equally important answer: in God's new creation, God will reveal himself to each individual person. "No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives how to know the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:34). The apostles needed to learn that their role as evangelists wasn't so much to teach people about God but to discern where the Holy Spirit is already at work and help people respond to the Spirit's promptings. There is a world of difference between saying, "Jesus is Lord," and crying out, "Jesus, you are my Lord!" Of course, we need to tell people about Jesus, but our purpose isn't simply to convey information. It's to introduce people to a divine Friend who is very eager for them to come to know him. This is what the apostles did, and it's our calling as well. "Jesus, you are my Messiah. Teach me how to share your good news with every person I meet today." Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19 my2cents: It is later than usual, going in group to Florida. I type waiting at an airport.  And still the Lord is calling and tugging at the heart.  It is spectacular.  How can I say that?  The Lord, the warrior King came into the world and conquered the world.  It just so happened, not the way the Jewish thought it would be.  He conquered the unseen, and what is seen.  Not with swords.  He told Peter the night before He was crucified to put the sword away.  This is the way the Lord will win and will win through you and me!  GLORY Be and LET IT BE! adrian

Going4th,

A Person Finds

Minute Meditations Listening to God Prayer should be more listening than speaking.  God gave you two ears and one mouth...use them proportionately. — from Tweet Inspiration St. Peter Chrysologus (406-450?)   A man who vigorously pursues a goal may produce results far beyond his expectations and his intentions. Thus it was with Peter of the Golden Words, as he was called, who as a young man became bishop of Ravenna, the capital of the empire in the West. At the time there were abuses and vestiges of paganism evident in his diocese, and these he was determined to battle and overcome. His principal weapon was the short sermon, and many of them have come down to us. They do not contain great originality of thought. They are, however, full of moral applications, sound in doctrine and historically significant in that they reveal Christian life in fifth-century Ravenna. So authentic were the contents of his sermons that, some 13 centuries later, he was declared a doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIII. He who had earnestly sought to teach and motivate his own flock was recognized as a teacher of the universal Church. In addition to his zeal in the exercise of his office, Peter Chrysologus was distinguished by a fierce loyalty to the Church, not only in its teaching, but in its authority as well. He looked upon learning not as a mere opportunity but as an obligation for all, both as a development of God-given faculties and as a solid support for the worship of God. Some time before his death, St. Peter returned to Imola, his birthplace, where he died around A.D. 450. Stories: Eutyches, the leader of the heresy denying the humanity of Christ, sought support from church leaders, Peter Chrysologus among them, after his condemnation in ad 448. Peter frankly told him: "In the interest of peace and the faith, we cannot judge in matters of faith without the consent of the Roman bishop." He further exhorted Eutyches to accept the mystery of the Incarnation in simple faith. Peter reminded him that if the peace of the church causes joy in heaven, then divisions must give birth to grief. Comment: Quite likely, it was St. Peter Chrysologus's attitude toward learning that gave substance to his exhortations. Next to virtue, learning, in his view, was the greatest improver of the human mind and the support of true religion. Ignorance is not a virtue, nor is anti-intellectualism. Knowledge is neither more nor less a source of pride than physical, administrative or financial prowess. To be fully human is to expand our knowledge—whether sacred or secular—according to our talent and opportunity. Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.     Presence At any time of the day or night we can call on Jesus. He is always waiting, listening for our call. What a wonderful blessing. No phone needed, no e-mails, just a whisper. Freedom If God were trying to tell me something, would I know? If God were reassuring me or challenging me, would I notice? I ask for the grace to be free of my own preoccupations and open to what God may be saying to me. Consciousness How do I find myself today? Where am I with God? With others? Do I have something to be grateful for? Then I give thanks. Is there something I am sorry for? Then I ask forgiveness.  The Word of God Reading 1 jer 15:10, 16-21 Woe to me, mother, that you gave me birth! a man of strife and contention to all the land! I neither borrow nor lend, yet all curse me. When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart, Because I bore your name, O LORD, God of hosts. I did not sit celebrating in the circle of merrymakers; Under the weight of your hand I sat alone because you filled me with indignation. Why is my pain continuous, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become for me a treacherous brook, whose waters do not abide! Thus the LORD answered me: If you repent, so that I restore you, in my presence you shall stand; If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece. Then it shall be they who turn to you, and you shall not turn to them; And I will make you toward this people a solid wall of brass. Though they fight against you, they shall not prevail, For I am with you, to deliver and rescue you, says the LORD. I will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent. Responsorial Psalm ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18 R. (17d) God is my refuge on the day of distress. Rescue me from my enemies, O my God; from my adversaries defend me. Rescue me from evildoers; from bloodthirsty men save me. R. God is my refuge on the day of distress. For behold, they lie in wait for my life; mighty men come together against me, Not for any offense or sin of mine, O LORD. R. God is my refuge on the day of distress. O my strength! for you I watch; for you, O God, are my stronghold, As for my God, may his mercy go before me; may he show me the fall of my foes. R. God is my refuge on the day of distress. But I will sing of your strength and revel at dawn in your mercy; You have been my stronghold, my refuge in the day of distress. R. God is my refuge on the day of distress. O my strength! your praise will I sing; for you, O God, are my stronghold, my merciful God! R. God is my refuge on the day of distress. Gospel mt 13:44-46 Jesus said to his disciples: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." Conversation Begin to talk to Jesus about the piece of scripture you have just read. What part of it strikes a chord in you? Perhaps the words of a friend - or some story you have heard recently - will slowly rise to the surface of your consciousness. If so, does the story throw light on what the scripture passage may be trying to say to you? Conclusion Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.   Meditation: Matthew 13:44-46 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives.   Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure. (Matthew 13:44) There's one thing about the treasure seekers and merchants in today's Gospel: they recognized a good thing when they saw it. They grasped the value of the treasure before them, and they did everything possible to lay hold of it. This parable wouldn't make any sense if the seekers didn't understand what they had found. They would have passed it over without another thought. But how could they do that? They had found a great treasure, an incomparable pearl! Of course they would sell everything so that they could acquire it. God's life in you is that treasure. And he wants to show you just how valuable it is. He wants you to understand it with such depth and clarity that you won't hesitate to throw aside anything that keeps you from experiencing its fullness. So keep your eyes open for the glimpses he will give you of the different ways he is at work in your life. The more you see, the more you will want to embrace his work by cooperating with him more fully. You can probably think of a time when you felt led to speak to someone, and in retrospect you felt sure that the Holy Spirit had used you to comfort or encourage them in a specific way. Wasn't that an awesome feeling? It probably made you more alert to other opportunities, didn't it? Or think about a really good confession, a time when you had a deep encounter with God's mercy and experienced a real sense of renewal and hope. It probably helped make you more comfortable with the sacrament. Or when you saw the healing that came from your attempt to reconcile with someone after an argument—didn't that make it worth letting go of a grudge or resentment? Let God surprise you by showing you how much he's doing in your life! Let him convince you of the power of his transforming love. Let him inspire you to do all you can to welcome him into every area of your life. "Father, you are worth more than anything else in my life. Open my eyes to the treasure of your work in me so that I can cast off anything of lesser value!"   Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21; Psalm 59:2-4, 10-11, 17-18 my2cents: Today's 5minutos goes as follows: "Of how many "strategies" does Jesus propose us to accept His Kingdom! Today He tells us how He presents us the opportunity to do "the business of your life".  Generally we consider the "business" the daily cases: money, houses, consumer goods, realities of life, but we believe the "business" of the Kingdom is not important.  So Jesus "shakes" us so that we understand that to be about the "businesses" we can lose the business, the opportunity, the occasion that is unique and unrepeatable of reaching our human happiness and our salvation.   There are so many things to do, but 'are they so important as to play with salvation?'  It is precise to understand, furthermore, that this gift of the Kingdom that Jesus makes us and we call a "christian vocation" does not admit "mixtures".   "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength."  It is not enough to have just a little religion, some "candles", some devotion, one or other Mass throughout the year, a little prayer, a little charity, a little humility, etc.  The Gospel commits us to a person in their totality.  God who is love invites us through purely His grace, but this invitation commits all the life.  A human invitation can be accepted or rejected.  If it is rejected, there is no serious harm; if it is accepted one is not committed existentially.  In return, God is so marvelous, that upon inviting, He commits, and it is a compromise that changes life totally, He transfigures it, makes it new.  Is your faith to you a treasure?" Today we read: "When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart, Because I bore your name".  Jeremiah devoured the Word of God.  As Catholics we devour the Word that became flesh.  But I will be darned when I see that person try to devour another.  With exasperation this morning in our safety meeting, a culmination brought me to say almost in tears with sentiment "what did we read on the opening slide of the safety presentation?  We read In God We Trust, didn't we?  And just so, I am trusting you to do a good and safe job.  I wear many hats hear at work and I notice what is going on overall...what I see is not bad trucks or bad work, but mostly bad attitudes!"  Then I spoke looking into the eyes of every person that I knew had failed to come to work, or coming in late, or the like.  I said "I am not asking you to do extraordinary things!  I am asking you, just like you ask me for things, for you to do your job!".  How many of us wear the name "Christian" but are really not there for the Lord?  Sure we ask tons of things of God (if we ask at all), but when He asks us for something the answer is almost automatically "no".  And what in the world is He asking for?  To accept what He offers.  What is He offering?  LOL.  SALVATION.  He is offering a "get out of jail free" card.  What jail?  I've heard of people coming to the U.S. and refer to it as having arrived to a "golden cage" (jaula de oro).  When they were free, now they are in a beautiful trap.  How can I say that?  Treasures.  We go after the money.  We go after that big house, that nicer car.  Then we are in debt and no time for nobod or nothing.  But this is an analogy of what is left behind.  I've noticed most of these "trapped" people have let go of the faith.  As I read the Gospel, it almost spoke to me "you have to be smart, you have to plan to get what you want".  And we do plan and get smart to get what we want, don't we?  I'm trying to help my sister in law and husband who are living with us to find a place to live.  They got turned down at the real estate, said to build up more credit. Now we got to get smart.  Throughout the summer I've been planning everything around Holy Adoration, or Cursillo meetings as much as possible.  You have to get smart for the things of the Lord.  But, there is one BIG problem.  We "can't" therefore we "won't".  They say, "where there is a will, there is a way".  But if we don't wan't, there is no way.  Wayne Gretzky, the great hockey player, said "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take".    It is the truth when we deal with taking shots for the business of God.  Just as in earthly business, you win some and lose some.  Yesterday a salesman tried to sell me this and that.  When he saw I wasn't taking one thing, he tried another, until I took the bait.  The same is for fishers of men.  Just because today we didn't get a fish doesn't mean tomorrow we wont' have a net full.  The difference is trying, and accepting.  Accept the treasure of God found in the human heart and in the Holy Presence.  What will I give up for the Lord?  Will you give it up with Love?  I'm telling you, I see and hear things that most people would think I'm crazy, until they start seeing, and hearing, and believing, and it is a city of Gold.  Beautiful Heavens.  Extraordinary life in the most ordinary of situations.  I ended the safety meeting with "Ok guys, I'm going to stop crying (and laughing) I said, let's eat these burritos and donuts we got for everyone and get to work".  And so I leave you with the same about this business of God as if the ending blessing in Holy Mass "Go now, eat (consume Christ), and let's get to work" and this is a true labor of Love.... adrian Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.   

Going4th,

The Better Part

Minute Meditations The Ten Commandments The commandments are a gift, not a curse. Sin is less about breaking the rules and more about breaking the Father's heart. — from Tweet Inspiration St. Martha     Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus were evidently close friends of Jesus. He came to their home simply as a welcomed guest, rather than as one celebrating the conversion of a sinner like Zacchaeus or one unceremoniously received by a suspicious Pharisee. The sisters feel free to call on Jesus at their brother's death, even though a return to Judea at that time seems almost certain death. No doubt Martha was an active sort of person. On one occasion (see Luke 10:38-42) she prepares the meal for Jesus and possibly his fellow guests and forthrightly states the obvious: All hands should pitch in to help with the dinner. Yet, as biblical scholar Father John McKenzie points out, she need not be rated as an "unrecollected activist." The evangelist is emphasizing what our Lord said on several occasions about the primacy of the spiritual: "...o not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear.... But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:25b, 33a); "One does not live by bread alone" (Luke 4:4b); "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness..." (Matthew 5:6a). Martha's great glory is her simple and strong statement of faith in Jesus after her brother's death. "Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world'" (John 11:25-27). Comment: Scripture commentators point out that in writing his account of the raising of Lazarus, St. John intends that we should see Martha's words to Mary before tLazarus was raised as a summons that every Christian must obey. In her saying "The teacher is here and is asking for you," Jesus is calling every one of us to resurrection—now in baptismal faith, forever in sharing his victory over death. And all of us, as well as these three friends, are in our own unique way called to special friendship with him. Quote: "Encouraged by so great a cloud of witnesses, we may run as victors in the race before us and win with them the imperishable crown of glory through Christ our Lord" (Roman Missal, Preface of Saints I). Patron Saint of: Housewives Waiters, waitresses   Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.     Presence Dear Jesus, I come to you today longing for your presence. I desire to love you as You love me. May nothing ever separate me from You. Freedom Your death on the cross has set me free. I can live joyously and freely without fear of death. Your mercy knows no bounds. Consciousness I ask how I am within myself today? Am I particularly tired, stressed, or off-form? If any of these characteristics apply, can I try to let go of the concerns that disturb me? The Word of God Reading 1 jer 14:17-22 Let my eyes stream with tears day and night, without rest, Over the great destruction which overwhelms the virgin daughter of my people, over her incurable wound. If I walk out into the field, look! those slain by the sword; If I enter the city, look! those consumed by hunger. Even the prophet and the priest forage in a land they know not. Have you cast Judah off completely? Is Zion loathsome to you? Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be healed? We wait for peace, to no avail; for a time of healing, but terror comes instead. We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you. For your name's sake spurn us not, disgrace not the throne of your glory; remember your covenant with us, and break it not. Among the nations' idols is there any that gives rain? Or can the mere heavens send showers? Is it not you alone, O LORD, our God, to whom we look? You alone have done all these things. Responsorial Psalm ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13 R. (9) For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; Deliver us and pardon our sins for your name's sake. R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. Let the prisoners' sighing come before you; with your great power free those doomed to death. Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; through all generations we will declare your praise. R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us. Gospel jn 11:19-27 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died]. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world." or lk 10:38-42 Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "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."     Conversation Remembering that I am still in God's presence, I imagine Jesus himself standing or sitting beside me, and say whatever is on my mind, whatever is in my heart, speaking as one friend to another. Conclusion I thank God for these few moments we have spent alone together and for any insights I may have been given concerning the text. Meditation: Luke 10:38-42 View NAB Reading at USCCB.org Subscriber? Login to view archives. Saint Martha Martha, Martha. (Luke 10:41) Most likely, Martha was already busy with her everyday chores when Jesus and the disciples arrived, but she cared too much to leave these travelers unattended. She just taxed herself even more. So when Martha snapped at Jesus for letting Mary sit at his feet while she slaved away, it was probably because she was already stressed out. Jesus knew this, and he didn't mind. He loved Martha. He accepted her with all of her strengths and weaknesses. And with patience and gentleness, he spoke to her, aproned and anxious as she was, and challenged her to take a different view of Mary's actions. The issues weighing on Martha were important. But they did not eclipse the most important item: a relationship with God. All the things that Martha focused on needed to be done. But Martha was still learning that time spent in Jesus' presence often brings the peace and clarity we need to accomplish necessary tasks more quickly and efficiently. Jesus didn't fault her for not knowing that, but he did point it out in a way that she could hear and understand. This is how Jesus deals with us as well: one step at a time. He gives us only as much as we can digest at once, even though it can sometimes feel as though we have swallowed an ice cube whole! Jesus takes us where we are and tries to move us one step closer to his vision for us. He isn't put off by our lack of understanding, frustrations, or other weaknesses. He isn't even upset when we chide him! Jesus loves you just as much as he loved Martha. And with the same gentle, patient acceptance, he wants to meet you as you are, warts and all. He longs to draw you more deeply into his heart and life. You can trust that he will tell you the truth: about what's important, about what needs to be done, about yourself. And as you choose to spend time in his presence, he will deepen your understanding of the life he calls you to. He will strengthen your faith and fill you with more of his love. "Jesus, I want to love you and the people around me more deeply. I commit myself to sitting with you to learn how best I can do that."   Jeremiah 14:17-22; Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13; John 11:19-27 (Alternate Gospel Reading) my2cents: In the final question of an interview with Martha in today's 5minutos it asked her: "So what was the better part?", and she replied "the one that claims the depth of our being". Earlier today I read an exerpt from The Catholic Company - Morning Offering: "Avoid worrying, then, about anything else for your children except whatever may contribute to bringing them up virtuously. For the rest, having entrusted them to God, try to see what His will for them is, to help them along the path in life He has chosen for them. Never be afraid of relying too much on Him, but rather seek always to increase your trust more and more, for this is the most pleasing homage you can pay Him and it will be the measure of the graces you will receive. Little or much will be given you according as you have expected little or much." — St. Claude De La Columbiere & Fr. Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure, p.46 Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence And it is a trustful surrender that we speak about when speaking of faith.  Who surrenders to God?  Who then, trusts in the Lord?  Jeremiah did as is evident in his plea to the Lord.  Because it is evident that with God, everything, with Christ everything is possible.  How often do we sit in ministries wondering "where is so-and-so? why aren't they here to help or be with us?".  Or we may feel alone in our lives, "it's just me and nobody understands".  We will need a surrender then.  Because it is this mentality that kills.  It never occurred to Martha that she was speaking to the resurrection Himself!  How often do we also pray without knowing that the solution is being prayed to?  Jesus.  She cried in His arms.  This is important, and why?  Because so often we don't cry to God, we cry to one another or alone, but never to God.  She lay it on Him and He brought life to the situation.  Yesterday evening I went to pray the community rosary.  The day had gone by fine, but when I was leaving, a situation at work made me upset.  This is how I got home, they could tell I wasn't happy.  This is how I went to the rosary, where brother Pepe was laying tile in front of the church and he saw my face and made a comment about it.  "Yeah, I'm angry right now" I said, which immediately I turned into a smile (didn't know I wore my heart on my face).  Father Patrick came running across the street, guess exercising, "don't you have a meeting, eucharistic ministers".  We all looked at each other and said no, we were there to pray the rosary.  He looked into the church through the glass windows "it looks like they have already started praying".  We rushed in there, hadn't seen brother Martin praying alone in the dark in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  I went in there knowing very well I was aggrevated.  The thoughts pursued "have I come in here to pray and make myself feel better?  What about those that made me upset?  Is it then all about me?  No, it's about Jesus".  I prayed for the situation and those that aggrevated me.  It was left in the Lord's hands and the situation disappeared. We had friendship group of cursillistas.  I sensed the presence of the Lord.  I gave thanks to God and left with a renewed sense of faith. Keep in mind, I was a busy body, but I chose the better part.  You see, too often we may identify ourselves in the passage as Martha or Mary, but ours is a story of conversion.  Ours is a story of surrender.  Ours is a search of the soul for the eternal.  Take this day to be busy, but be busy for the Lord.  That there is all the difference.  And when you can, retreat.  Be in the hands of the Lord, in His arms, and feel His loving embrace.  Mary, you are choosing the better part.  Martha needed your example.  What love of God is this?  It is to say, He loves both, before and after.   That is to say, before my conversion, He already loved me, and after, well the difference is that I love Him BACK AND IT IS AMAZING   adrian "The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today." — St. Francis of Assisi Subscribe to the Going4th mailing list.

Going4th,