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July 15, 2004 Edition

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Living the Scriptures
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Setting priorities: Tending to Martha within

photo of Susan Casper
Living the Scriptures 

with St. Paul University 
Catholic Center 

Susan Casper 

I find myself squirming in the pew every time I hear the Gospel story of Martha and Mary.

The theme is a familiar one at our house. Guests arrive fully expecting a handsome meal, as well as companionship. I can't do both, and because my husband doesn't know a crepe pan from a rolling pin, he provides conversation, while I knock myself out in the kitchen.

It is usually as I am serving the food that the first request is made, "Stop fussing; sit down with us."

16th Sunday
in Ordinary Time
(July 18, 2004)
Gn 18:1-10a
Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5
Col 1:24-28
Lk 10:38-42

Well, I wonder, how do they think the food is going to arrive at the table? Would they rather not have gravy? Coffee? Perhaps we should just skip the vegetables?

Do they think I have elves in the kitchen? Exactly how will things appear if I don't fuss?

So my heart is always with Martha as she works to serve the Master and wishes to make him as comfortable as possible. She is the responsible one.

Mary shamelessly curls up at Jesus' feet, knowing that Martha will get things done. And then, dog-gone it, Jesus praises Mary's choice. It's enough to make a good hostess tremble.

It is small wonder that the story makes me feel peevish. And since I really hate being wrong, it takes some time in prayer for me to acknowledge that Jesus' point is well-taken.

He doesn't suggest that guests be left to fend for themselves but leads us to priorities. We see them illustrated in this example of hospitality, but, I wonder, doesn't making Jesus our priority extend to all areas of our lives?

Often I get caught up in the business of the moment, postponing time with Jesus for later - later when I'm rested, or alone, or have time. "Later," unfortunately, doesn't often find me rested, alone, or with time.

It leads me to the point I think Jesus was making when he told Martha (and all of us) that Mary had chosen the better part. We need to make time for Jesus first, then work him into our time with family, work, charitable activities, recreation, intellectual development, hospitality, exercise, relationship building . . . well, you get the idea.

The Martha in me knows that doing God's work on earth encompasses all areas of one's life. I know that taking care of the earth and the people in it are a form of prayer.

I'm not as quick to acknowledge that taking care of myself is a form of prayer. If this body God created for me is really a temple of the Holy Spirit, than shouldn't I take care of it?

Perhaps, my life and well-being, my spirit and health are as important as those others whom I seek to serve. If I am just as important, then selflessness is not necessarily a virtue.

Before I take care of everyone else's needs, I need to invite Jesus in to share with me the job of taking care of my own, whether that is the exercise I rarely make time for, the meals I always make time for, or the time I spend with friends.

Reflection questions

• Do you neglect your own needs to tend others? This week find an opportunity for others to take care of you.

• What other gospel messages make you uncomfortable? Do you know why?

Jesus didn't create me to be a workaholic, nor did he intend for me to be so busy that I isolate my activities from him.

Martha's work is vital, but she can't let it displace her time with Jesus, or the time she needs to take care of herself. So whether she (and I) need to get up earlier or simply do less, the message is the same: Don't save Jesus for later. Make time for him now. And take care of yourself - Jesus wants happy and healthy (and rested) Marthas.


Susan Casper is a friend of St. Paul University Catholic Center and an occasional contributor to this column. Since her retirement from university teaching, she has worked as a writer, editor, and writing coach.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org


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Faith Alive!

Faith Alive! logo

In a Nutshell

  • Pope John Paul II said ecumenism is not "some secondary attribute of the community of [Jesus'] disciples." It belongs to this community's "very essence."

  • But could divisions among Christians of different communions that developed over centuries be overcome in just 25 or 30 years?

  • Ecumenism is a long-term process. Time and patience are needed to reconcile Christians who have lived apart so long.


    Catholic News Service
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    cns@catholicnews.com
  •  Food for Thought
     
    "In a world that becomes more and more one world, there is no realistic alternative to ecumenism," Cardinal Walter Kasper said in a spring 2003 speech. He is president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

    Cardinal Kasper has spoken more than once of a crisis in ecumenism. But by "crisis" he means a time not only of risk but of opportunity. He once said that "to some degree the crisis of the ecumenical movement is paradoxically the result of its success.... The closer we come to one another, the more painful is the perception that we are not yet in full communion."

    Where is the ecumenical movement headed? The goal is a unity of Christians. Do we know exactly what this unity will be like or how to arrive at it? "It is not possible to draw a blueprint of the future unity of the church," said Cardinal Kasper. Why? Because "the light the Spirit casts is similar to a lantern that lights our next step and that shines only as we go ahead."

    Ecumenism, he said, is "an expression of a pilgrim church, of the people of God, which in its journey is guided, inspired and supported by the Spirit."

    full story

     
    Must the Ecumenical Journey Be So Long?
    By Father Ron Roberson, CSP

    Catholic News Service

    Ecumenism is the modern movement among divided Christians to achieve the unity that Christ desires for them.

    There is a widespread perception these days that the ecumenical movement has slowed down. But this is simply not the case, and there is reason to be optimistic about its eventual success. I would cite just three examples:

    full story 


    Family Stories of Ecumenism
    By Cynthia Dewes

    Catholic News Service

    Benedictine Sister Jennifer Horner of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Ind., believes that ecumenism is "a long journey, and it takes time." This daughter of a Presbyterian missionary minister entered the Catholic Church as an adult.

    While it was hard at first for her family to accept her decision, they're pleased now to see that following God in her own way causes her such joy. Her parents love to visit their daughter's religious community and enjoy the liturgies there.

    full story 


    Why Is Ecumenical Unity Needed?
    By Father Robert L. Kinast

    Catholic News Service

    The ecumenical movement may not be making rapid progress but it cannot be allowed to remain at a standstill. The ultimate goal of full Christian unity is something God wants, something the world needs and something we owe to our predecessors and heirs in the faith.

    I see three reasons why the ecumenical effort cannot settle for less than full Christian unity.

    full story


    Faith Alive! logo
     Faith in the Marketplace
     
    This Week's Discussion Point:

    What joint effort has your parish undertaken with the people of a local Protestant, Anglican or Orthodox community?

     
      Selected Response From Readers:  
     
    Copyright © 2004 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops



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    This week's readings

    Week of July 18 - 24, 2004

    Sunday, July 18, 2004
    Reading I: Gn 18:1-10a
    Reading II: Col 1:24-28
    Gospel: Lk 10:38-42

    Monday, July 19, 2004
    Reading I: Mi 6:1-4, 6-8
    Gospel: Mt 12:38-42

    Tuesday, July 20, 2004
    Reading I: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20
    Gospel: Mt 12:46-50

    Wednesday, July 21, 2004
    Reading I: Jer 1:1, 4-10
    Gospel: Mt 13:1-9

    Thursday, July 22, 2004
    Reading I: Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13
    Gospel: Jn 20:1-2, 11-18

    Friday, July 23, 2004
    Reading I: Jer 3:14-17
    Gospel: Mt 13:18-23

    Saturday, July 24, 2004
    Reading I: Jer 7:1-11
    Gospel: Mt 13:24-30


    Pope's Prayer Intentions

    July General Intention

    Inner harmony on God and openness to the love of human beings: That all those who are able to benefit from a holiday period during this time of the year may be helped during their vacation to rediscover in God their inner harmony and to open themselves to the love of human beings.

    July Mission Intention

    The lay faithful in the young churches: That in the young churches the lay faithful may receive more attention and may be turned to greater account for evangelization.





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