The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today nudge us to contemplate the better path with the help of the Spirit as we act to move toward a full life.
The reading from the Book of Jonah describes the conversion of Nineveh.
* [3:5] Great and small: the contrast can refer to distinctions of social class (prominent citizens and the poor).
* [3:7–8] Fasting and wearing sackcloth are signs of human repentance; here they are legislated even for the animals—a humorous touch, perhaps anticipating 4:11.
* [3:9–10] Scripture frequently presents the Lord as repenting (or, changing his mind) of the evil that he threatens; e.g., Gn 6:6–7; Jer 18:8. (Jonah, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 130 is a prayer about waiting for Divine Redemption.
* [Psalm 130] This lament, a Penitential Psalm, is the De profundis used in liturgical prayers for the faithful departed. In deep sorrow the psalmist cries to God (Ps 130:1–2), asking for mercy (Ps 130:3–4). The psalmist’s trust (Ps 130:5–6) becomes a model for the people (Ps 130:7–8). (Psalms, PSALM 130 | USCCB, 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 | USCCB, n.d.)
Mary Lee Brock comments that today’s readings challenge us to look at our own priorities.
Just like Martha, I might be a bit too distracted by my responsibilities..... let’s rephrase that: I AM too distracted. We know that multi-tasking is counter-productive and there is great joy in staying in the moment. I wonder how my I can hear the gentle coaxing of Jesus to stop and truly listen. While the preponderance of email messages can add to our list of responsibilities, I always appreciate receiving an email from my friend Sister Candice Tucci as she has this message from Cynthia Boourgeault at the end of every email she sends: “The Spiritual life can only be lived in the present moment, in the now... When we go rushing ahead into the future or shrinking back into the past, we miss the hand of God, which can only touch us in the now.” (Brock, 2023)
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, 2019)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 10:38-42 comments that Martha decides to speak up. It’s easy to see her in a negative light here as she registers her complaint about her sister. But the important thing is this: when Martha was burdened, she “came to him” (Luke 10:40). Even in her exhaustion and annoyance, instead of lashing out at Mary, she goes to Jesus. She doesn’t hold back about how she is feeling. She puts it all in his lap and asks him to intervene.
Where do you turn when you are feeling like Martha? To Jesus? Do you ask him to help you reorient your priorities, as he did for Martha? Let him bring your gaze back to himself. Let him remind you that he is there in the busyness; indeed, he is in and among the ones whom you serve.
Jesus is always “the better part,” whether you find him in quiet contemplation or in acts of service (Luke 10:42). So when you feel burdened today, take a moment to come to Jesus and find rest in his presence. And if you’re in the middle of something that can’t wait, trust that you can even find him there.
“Jesus, help me to come to you, just as Martha did, whenever I am burdened.” (Meditation on Luke 10:38-42, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that Jonah tried to run away but he eventually obeys God and preaches to the people of Nineveh who respond by repenting. The sign of Jonah that is illustrated today is that of preaching to a pagan community that converts. Friar Jude reminds us to slow down and attend to our guests as a lesson from Jesus meeting with Mary and Martha.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, (1980) delves into the message of hope found in the book of Isaiah.
Hope is not primarily for the future. It’s for now! Hope is a way of seeing time and understanding the present. It’s a way of tasting and receiving the moment. It gives us the capacity to enter into the future in a new way. In that sense, we can call hope true realism, because hope takes seriously all the many possibilities that fill the moment. Hope sees all the alternatives; it recognizes and creates an alternative consciousness. That’s the hope of the prophet.
The person who can see the moment fully is never hopeless. Hopelessness is an experience whereby a person’s sight is set in one direction: “The only way I’ll be happy is if such and such happens.” When we can imagine only one way to be happy, we don’t recognize the fullness and possibilities of the moment. We collapse if our one way is taken away from us. That’s the power of the prophets—to recognize that there is always another way for the promise to be fulfilled, another way for Divine Love to reach us. [3] (Rohr, 2019)
We ask the Spirit to guide our decisions when we discipline ourselves to take a breath and look at what is the best way to spend our time and treasure living in the events of our day.
References
Brock, M. L. (2023, October 10). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101023.html
Jonah, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jonah/3?1
Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?38
Meditation on Luke 10:38-42. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/10/802028/
Psalms, PSALM 130 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/130?1
Rohr, R. (2019, March 9). True Realism. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/true-realism/
Schwager, D. (2019, March 9). You Are Anxious. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct10
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