Amici, Americani, Compatriotae,
For those of you who follow the daily Scripture readings in the Divine Liturgy, did you notice that today’s episode of Jesus telling workaholic Martha that Mary sitting at His feet had chosen the better course (Luke 10:25-37) comes directly on the heels of the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:38-42)? Yesterday we are given an example of the salutary nature and essentialness of good works done for others. Today we are given an example that being an attentive disciple at the Master’s feet, not good works, counts for value. So why the difference? It rests in motives. In the case of the Good Samaritan, the Sacred Text tells us that he was “moved with compassion” and that is why he rescued the wounded man lying in the ditch. In the case of Martha, she was “anxious and worried about many things,” and thus was “burdened with much serving.” Do we do good works because we are moved with compassion or do we do good works because we are anxious and worried? To sit at Jesus’ feet as Mary did, listening to Him speak, let us be moved with compassion. There is no room for anxiety and worry.
PS, tomorrow’s Gospel reading in the Divine Liturgy will be the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11:1-4, the parallel passage being Matthew 6:9-15. How appropriate!
No comments:
Post a Comment