“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.”
Jesus has much to say about anxiety and worry in the gospels.
In his Sermon on the Mount, (Matt 6:25-33) there are wonderful observations about the carefree birds in the sky and the beautiful flowers of the field. He offers these suggestions to everyone and they are indeed popular in any religion, Christian or otherwise. I have read of Buddhist teachers who keyed on the word Look. If you will only stop and take the time to look, see, and ponder the birds and the flowers, you will know peace.
That message, of course, echoes the familiar teaching that we should keep our eyes fixed on him, as the Letter to the Hebrews urged us.
...let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
Saint Francis also urged his disciples to "Look at the Humility of God" in the Blessed Sacrament; while his friend Saint Clare urged her sisters to "Gaze upon him, consider him, contemplate him, as you desire to imitate him."
When the Lord teaches us about worry he is not urging us to mind control or stricter self discipline; what some people call "white knuckling." That's guaranteed to fail.
Rather he urges us to trust the Father to provide for his people; and this is one of oldest and most primitive teachings of the entire Bible. When the LORD delivered the captive Hebrews out of Egypt and into the freedom of the Sinai peninsula, he also provided for their every need of food, water, security, and guidance. He would protect them from enemies, and allow them to pass unharmed through hostile territory. He did this because they were the children of Abraham, his friend. He needed no other reason.
Our worries often reflect a profound lack of faith. They show that we still think we should be worthy of God's care, even as we know -- we just know! -- we're not. Well of course we're not! That's the point. He saves us because he loves us. And if you're looking for some other reason you are, as my dad used to describe a useless squirrel dog, "barking up the wrong tree."
In today's gospel our dear Saint Martha, who is so like any one of us, has gotten herself into a terrible state as she tries to prepare a worthy feast for the Lord. There's no doubt he deserves the finest food, rarest cuts of meat, choicest wines, polished silverware, and linen tablecloths; but he neither wants nor expects all that. "Only one thing is necessary!" he assures her. Boiled beans would satisfy him! Or some barley cakes. Whatever you've got at hand! Come sit down and rest beside Mary!
Our salvation is unearned; our freedom is at hand. We have only to accept them.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.