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Monday, July 29, 2019

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St. Martha


Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34
Psalm 106:19-23
John 11:19-27
or Luke 10:38-42

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"She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and listened to His words." —Luke 10:39

Martha is a great saint because she accepted Jesus' correction. Jesus corrected Martha not because she was too busy, anxious, or critical. Jesus corrected Martha because she was only a worker for the Lord and not a disciple of the Lord.

A mere worker sets the agenda. A disciple sits at the feet of Jesus, prays each morning for the Lord to open his ear (Is 50:4), and then takes orders from his Lord.

A worker can feel anxious and upset because he's in charge of his life and work (see Lk 10:41). A disciple is at rest, for Jesus' yoke is easy and His burden light (Mt 11:30).

A person who works for the Lord but isn't His disciple prays for God's help, while a disciple prays to help God.

A mere worker for the Lord initiates activity, but a disciple doesn't move until the Lord moves (see Ex 40:37; Ps 123:2). With Jesus, we as disciples do nothing by ourselves but only what we see the Father doing (Jn 5:19).

The Lord wants more than workers for the harvest (see Mt 9:37); He wants disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19). Don't just invite Jesus into your life; rather, be a disciple and lose your life in Him (see Lk 9:23-24).

Prayer:  Father, "I have decided to follow Jesus" and not to tell Him to follow me.

Promise:  "I am the Resurrection and the Life." —Jn 11:25

Praise:  St. Martha made one of the greatest professions of faith: "I have come to believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God: He Who is to come into the world" (Jn 11:27).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018

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