LIvING OuR LIvEs LIkE MARTHA AND MARy

I’M A MARTHA. I like to keep busy, I putter around, I multi-task, I worry about many things, and I have a hard time just sitting still. My prayers usually happen on the fly or when I fall into bed at night just before falling asleep. My husband, Mark, on the other hand, lives his life – his spiritual life – just like Mary. He takes the time to do his readings and prayers twice a day, prays the rosary, goes to adoration, and truly enjoys just sitting and spending time with Jesus. If Jesus were to come to our house, I would be running around, preparing something to for Him to eat, shoving items into spare closets and bedrooms, and doing anything but taking the time to just sit and listen. My frenzied hospitality would be my version of honoring Jesus. Meanwhile, Mark would be sitting beside Jesus, truly just sitting there, instead of helping me in the kitchen.

Who is the better follower? Would it surprise you if I said both? The different personalities of Martha and Mary can be found in all of us and that is a good thing when it comes to our involvement within the life of our Church. The important thing is to know as stewards of our faith is just when we need to be busy and when is the time for us to sit still.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42

Each parish in our diocese needs to have both Martha’s and Mary’s in order to thrive. (And for the sake of this article, Martha and Mary applies to our male readers as well). It is important to have the workers (or the worriers) who help with events, assist with faith formation, participate in the Mass, and other things that make a parish come alive. But just as important is to have the parishioners who sit in the pews, go to adoration, show up to missions and bible studies, and take the time to listen and absorb the Word of God. While each of us can identify with one of these roles, we can also be both in the life of our parish.

If we are constantly busy, but don’t take the time to listen, we are missing the opportunity to improve our faith life by truly listening to God. We need to remember to stop, take a breath, and just listen.

On the other hand, if we are a passive parishioner by only attending weekly Mass (which is important) and not taking the time to engage with our fellow parishioners, then we miss out by not being a more active member of the Church family. Sometimes, attending Mass is all that we have time to do, but if we look around for opportunities to become more involved – more engaged – in our parish, then we all benefit.

So take a moment to ask yourself, “Am I more like Martha or Mary?” There is no wrong answer – only the inspiration to live our lives more fully as we seek to grow closer to God.

AT STELLAR VBS, KIDS DISCOVER HOW THEY CAN SHINE JESUS’ LOVE AND HOPE

IN EVERYDAY LIFE! Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible Adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of Jesus’ light, and test out Science-Fun Gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long. Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings. Each day concludes with a Cosmic Closing that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join in daily for this special time at 12 PM.

Stellar is for kids from PreK-3 to 6th grade, (7th –12th graders as volunteers) and will run from 9 AM to 12 PM each day. For more information, call 318-2215296 ext. 118. https://sjbcathedral.org/vbs2023/