How to procede

The tension between attitude and approach of different people is a theme which is touched in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. Paul addresses the people of Galatia. According to Friar Jude Winkler, he is denouncing Jewish Christian missionaries who are attempting to discredit his preaching. He presents his credentials as a learned scholar and former Pharisee who studied at the feet of Gamaliel, a leading member of the Jewish Temple court in the first century, to rebut the claim that he has abandoned Jewish tradition. Paul proclaims his mission to spread the Good News is the action required of him as a result of a personal revelation from Jesus. He presents evidence of a serious plan to confirm that call in consultation with Peter and James in Jerusalem. Is personal revelation present today? Is our mission determined by the direction set by Church authorities always according to tradition? The apparent tension between these points of view may be approached from the contemplative study of our relationship with God as vocalized by the “fearfully and wonderfully made” praise of the psalmist. We are capable of much through the grace of God. This grace, nurtured in the listening demonstrated by Mary in the episode from the Gospel of Luke, will inform and empower us in action like the hospitality of Martha. The choice Martha asks Jesus to affirm is countered with the question of how much we are doing to listen to the will of God which is often in tension with our plan to get things done. So often we are called to live with “Both/And” instead of pursuing one path or the other. Tradition or revelation? Yes! Contemplation or service? Yes! Justice or compassion? Yes! God helps us!