Busy?
The story is told about a father who gave an iPad to his son, who was filled with joy to the max. Wanting to teach him to be grateful, the Dad said: “What do you say to Dad?” “Thank you, Dad.” Wanting further to evoke love from him, the Dad said: “What else do you say? I love …?” “I love IT!” the boy exclaimed.
—
In today’s Gospel (Luke 10, 38-42), we hear the story of two sisters, Martha and Mary, who loved Jesus in different ways. The former was busy serving Him, while the latter simply stayed in His presence. Whether you are a worker or a beholder of Jesus, the important thing is to love Him, i.e. to love Him more than things, more than your work, more than your discipline and plans.
—
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about so many things.” This could be said of many of us as well. The only remedy that will help us go above our worries and anxieties is our trust in the Lord’s goodness and love, more and more.
—
“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present” (Lao Tzu). How true. May we learn to live and love in the present moment, and not keep on rewinding the past, nor keep fast-forwarding the future.
—
Sharing with you my simple prayer of surrender and trust: Lord, I surrender my PAST unto your heart where everything is blessed, forgiven, and embraced by You; entrust my FUTURE unto Your hands; which puts everything in place according to Your will and plan; I put my PRESENT into Your love that is surrounding me, sustaining, and blessing me right now. Amen.
—
Are you a “Martha?” The problem with some “Marthas” is they could end up “Martaray” (arrogant) because of their achievements. Are you a “Mary?” The problem with some “Marys” is that they end up “Maryabang” (proud) because of their righteousness. Whether you are a “Martha” or a “Mary,” stay humble, and stay focused on the Lord when you serve.
—
Somebody said that at the end of our lives, none of us will regret that we did not work enough or that we spent less time with our work. We will surely regret that we did not spend more time with the more basic in life like family, friends, health, nature, people and prayer. In the end, may we not end up saying “Lord, too late have I known thee…”
—
Time spent with yourself, with people and with your God is not “wasted” time. When was the last time you took a walk and just enjoyed the earth? When was the last time you played with children, or just simply relaxed? When was the last time you knelt down before God, and just thanked Him that you are still alive? When was the last time you “wasted” time on matters which this fast world considers as of no consequence and of no importance?
—
God has a hard time dealing with busy people. Why? Because they hardly have time to really listen. Too focused on their agenda, they often miss out on God’s agenda. Spend time today like Mary to sit beside the Lord and listen to Him speak. You will be surprised. He has much to tell. Be still and you will really know His will.
—
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13,2) Perhaps this biblical passage wouldn’t ring a bell nowadays in a world that is full of trickery and danger, but again, we must not lose the spirit of hospitality, taking time, and making time. As the “Desiderata” puts it: “With all the sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it’s still a beautiful world.”
—
Let us stress more our commonalities rather than our differences. Let us focus, not on the walls that divide us, but, more so, on the bridges that connect us in our journey to God’s heart. Please remember that our journey to God’s heart must grow from “small circle, small circle, towards big circle, big circle!”
—
A moment with the Lord:
