Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Tuesday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100620.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Galatians 1:13-24
Responsorial: Psalm 139:1B-3, 13-14AB, 14C-15
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42
Our reflection on Tuesday’s readings:
“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.” Luke 10:42
I relate to both Martha and Mary in today's Gospel story. Mary is present with Jesus and is sitting at His feet. Jesus tells Martha, "Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her." I am convicted by Jesus' words and reminded of the need to spend more time in His presence at his feet. I am also in joy, knowing that every moment in His presence brings lasting peace.
Before coming back to the Church, I spent a few decades in a meditation group that promoted daily personal and weekly group meditation. The weekly meditations were about an hour-long, but the group hosted eight-hour marathon sessions for Easter and Christmas. During those long meditations, I felt like both Martha and Mary. During the long hours, there would be a few fleeting minutes feeling peace and joy. Like Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, grace flowed and I felt the healing love and light of Christ. However, often a worrying thought would intrude about work or home life. I joined Martha worrying about details that could wait that distracted me from the Kingdom of Heaven that was at hand.
We came back to the Church at St Monica more than twenty years ago. It was there that I learned that I could feel the presence of Our Lord through the Sacraments. It is at Mass and the reception of the Eucharist that I find myself at the feet of the Lord basking in His love.
Love and Blessings,
Deacon John McShea