Daily Reflection for Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072920.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Jeremiah 15: 10, 16-21
Responsorial: Psalm 59: 2-4, 10-11, 17, 18
Gospel: John 11: 19-27 or Luke 10: 38-42
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.” Luke 10: 41-42
My mother had four sons. She was hoping I would be a girl and used to tell me my name would have been Patricia Louise and I would have been called Patty Lou. Instead she had another son and, out of the blue, came up with the name Alan Lee.
Had I been born female, a better name for me would have been Martha. Or maybe she should have chosen Alan Martha for a boy’s name. I have always been anxious and worried about many things. I have learned or inherited that behavior from her and I love her for it.
Especially now, I am anxious and worried. I worry about the state of the world, the pandemic, global climate change, a divided country, war, poverty, racism. And I want to think I’m doing the best I can to be a part of the solution and fulfill my Matthew 25 and Micah 6 calling. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, care for the ill, visit the imprisoned, do justice, love goodness and walk humbly with God.
But even in attempting to fulfill what I think is my calling, I’m anxious and worried. Am I being effective? Am I doing enough? Is this a cause that I should get involved in, or an action I should take? How much time do I have left?
But Jesus is telling Martha there is need of only one thing. Be present to the Lord and one another. Can I stay focused and not be distracted? Can I be fully present to God and be present to the person in front of me? Can I do this moment? Can I love the goodness of this moment? Can I humbly be with God in this moment?
“Only one thing is necessary,” Jesus says. Jesus wants me to be present. In this moment.
Peace and blessings,
Al Mytty