The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, challenge us to follow Christ within the tension between action and contemplation.
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Galatians shares his Call by Christ.
* [1:18–24] Paul’s first journey to Jerusalem as a Christian, according to Galatians (cf. Acts 9:23–31 and the note on Acts 12:25). He is quite explicit about contacts there, testifying under oath (Gal 1:20). On returning to Syria (perhaps specifically Damascus, cf. Gal 1:17) and Cilicia (including his home town Tarsus, cf. Acts 9:30; 22:3), Paul most likely engaged in missionary work. He underscores the fact that Christians in Judea knew of him only by reputation. (Galatians, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
Psalm 139 praises the Inescapable God.
* [Psalm 139] A hymnic meditation on God’s omnipresence and omniscience. The psalmist is keenly aware of God’s all-knowing gaze (Ps 139:1–6), of God’s presence in every part of the universe (Ps 139:7–12), and of God’s control over the psalmist’s very self (Ps 139:13–16). Summing up Ps 139:1–16, 17–18 express wonder. There is only one place hostile to God’s rule—wicked people. The psalmist prays to be removed from their company (Ps 139:19–24). (Psalms, PSALM 139, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Visits Martha and Mary.
* [10:38–42] The story of Martha and Mary further illustrates the importance of hearing the words of the teacher and the concern with women in Luke.
* [10:39] Sat beside the Lord at his feet: it is remarkable for first-century Palestinian Judaism that a woman would assume the posture of a disciple at the master’s feet (see also Lk 8:35; Acts 22:3), and it reveals a characteristic attitude of Jesus toward women in this gospel (see Lk 8:2–3).
* [10:42] There is need of only one thing: some ancient versions read, “there is need of few things”; another important, although probably inferior, reading found in some manuscripts is, “there is need of few things, or of one.” (Luke, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)
Vivian Amu comments that we are set apart and called as children of God to love. That love may be shown by serving others with vigor and zeal or sitting at the feet of Jesus to listen.
As for me, I would imagine that as I manifested from the breath of God to the warmth and safety of my mother's womb, God smiled while thinking of what I would look like and be like. God thought, “I will make her not too tall and not too short.” “I will give her a milk chocolate complexion and strong features that stand out.” “I will give her strength to endure her pains throughout her life, even though she might think she is not able to bear her pains.” “I will make her not too boring and not too excitable, that way she maintains her mystery, and people would want to get to know her better." What do you see when you look in the mirror, especially on the days you don’t feel particularly special, strong, or extraordinary? What do you see in the mirror on the days you feel overworked or underappreciated? Can you imagine the smile on God’s face when you were being knit together in your mother’s womb? Can you imagine God’s enjoyment while thinking of who you would become? Come rest in my arms or by my feet, says the Lord, and let me nourish your soul, tend to your heart, and tell you how lovely you are. May we find ways to balance our desire to serve and our desire to rest at the feet of Jesus, knowing we are wonderfully and specially made with greater purpose.
Merciful and loving God, who loved me before I was born and loves me still;
May I sit at your feet for a moment and be nourished by your words.
This I humbly ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Amu, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The Body of Christ needs hearers and doers of the Word,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"'Virtue does not have a single form. In the example of Martha and Mary, there is added the busy devotion of the one and the pious attention of the other to the Word of God, which, if it agrees with faith, is preferred even to the very works, as it is written: 'Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.' So let us also strive to have what no one can take away from us, so that not careless but diligent hearing may be granted to us. For even the seeds of the heavenly Word itself are likely to be taken away if they are sowed by the wayside (Luke 8:5,12). Let the desire for wisdom lead you as it did Mary. It is a greater and more perfect work. Do not let service divert the knowledge of the heavenly Word... Nor is Martha rebuked in her good serving, but Mary is preferred because she has chosen the better part for herself, for Jesus abounds with many blessings and bestows many gifts. And therefore the wiser chooses what she perceives as foremost."(excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7.83-86) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 10:38-42 comments that it’s quite possible that Jesus’ tone was not harsh. Jesus loved Martha; he longed for her to spend time with him. He wanted her to experience peace, not strife, and he wished that she could enjoy the closeness that Mary experienced sitting at his feet. So when he repeated her name, Jesus was probably speaking with tenderness and concern.
Jesus doesn’t want any of his sons and daughters to miss out on his presence, including you. Just as he cried out, “Martha, Martha,” he calls you by name today—not once, but twice! Can you hear the love in his voice? He knows that you are busy and burdened and anxious; he knows your temptations and failings. And he wants to set you free. Jesus will never stop calling you. Come, sit at his feet.
“Here I am, Lord. I want to hear your voice today.” (Meditation on Luke 10:38-42, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that Paul is speaking to Gentile Christians in Galatia about his credentials as a Pharisee fulfilling the call of a fellow Benjamite, Jeremiah, to be an apostle to the nations who conferred with James and Cephus about the earthly life of Jesus. The tension between contemplation and action in Church history is highlighted by the Gospel. Friar Jude reminds us of the necessity to spend time listening to our guests.
The Franciscan Media article on Saint Francis of Assisi comments that Francis was torn between a life devoted entirely to prayer and a life of active preaching of the Good News. He decided in favor of the latter, but always returned to solitude when he could. He wanted to be a missionary in Syria or in Africa, but was prevented by shipwreck and illness in both cases. He did try to convert the sultan of Egypt during the Fifth Crusade.
Francis of Assisi was poor only that he might be Christ-like. He recognized creation as another manifestation of the beauty of God. In 1979, he was named patron of ecology. He did great penance—apologizing to “Brother Body” later in life—that he might be totally disciplined for the will of God. Francis’ poverty had a sister, Humility, by which he meant total dependence on the good God. But all this was, as it were, preliminary to the heart of his spirituality: living the gospel life, summed up in the charity of Jesus and perfectly expressed in the Eucharist. (Saint Francis of Assisi, n.d.)
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Franciscan priest and author Murray Bodo who writes of how Francis of Assisi’s experiences of God led him to solidarity with those who suffer.
Shortly afterwards, praying before the crucifix in the dilapidated chapel of San Damiano outside Assisi’s walls, he heard a voice from the crucifix saying, “Francis, go and repair my house which, as you see, is falling into ruin.” And Francis responded immediately, begging stones and rebuilding this little chapel with his own hands. As he was to learn later, it was the Catholic Church itself that he was to restore. How he was to do this he learned while attending mass one day. He heard in the Gospel that the true disciples of Christ should take no gold, or silver, or copper in their belts, no bag for their journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff (Matthew 10:9–10). He was filled with joy and said, “This is what I want; this is what I desire with all my heart.” He renounced his patrimony, gave away all his possessions, and began the life of an itinerant preacher who dwelled among the lepers. Others followed, and the Franciscan way of life began. (Rohr, 2022)
We are prompted by the Spirit to piety, study, and action through which we journey with Christ inspired by the life of people like Francis of Assisi.
References
Amu, V. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/100422.html
Galatians, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/1?13
Luke, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?38
Meditation on Luke 10:38-42. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/10/04/504735/
Psalms, PSALM 139. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/139?1
Rohr, R. (2022, October 4). A Mystical Way of Life — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-mystical-way-of-life-2022-10-04/
Saint Francis of Assisi. (n.d.). Franciscan Media. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-francis-of-assisi
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=oct4
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