During a mass celebrated by Fr. Ernesto Garcia, he spoke about Mary and Martha. Fr. Nitoy, as he is oftentimes called, said that at first reading, we may conclude that while Martha does good in preparing food and drink for the guest, it is Mary who does the right thing by listening to the word of God. He emphasized though that there should always be balance in contemplation and action.Last Sunday’s gospel from church discussed things of which we worry about and occupy us (Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also). For some of us, it may be our personal needs like money and clothes. For Martha, it was how to please her guests. But does the Lord really tell Martha to stop what she was doing and join her sister at his feet? Does the Lord favor a person of contemplative life more than an active one?
There are many aspects to consider in life: physical wellbeing, financial health, relationship with friends, family and neighbors, career life, married life, and of course, the thing that matters most - Christian life. The problem is when we think about Christianity, some seem to face difficulties in relating and applying it to all aspects of life. What am I talking about?
- When I was in Grade 5, my siblings and I would be in church the whole Sunday without realizing our mom was getting furious because we spent more time in church than at home on weekends.
- Somebody told me when I was younger that dancing is a worldly thing to do, will not serve God’s purpose and therefore, not for me to pursue. I later learned this activity that I loved doing could be used for God’s glory.
- A friend’s aunt is contented to live her lifetime as a missionary even though her relatives worry about the financial obligations required to support her. Her niece wishes that her aunt would take some initiative to earn some income to support herself and her ministry.
- And there are those who are very active in church and yet hardly know their children’s whereabouts.
Fr. Nitoy pointed out that there should be a balance between contemplation and action. It is true that there is no better part than to focus on “where Mary is.” BUT there are many other things in life that we should also work on in order to live a good life (the Christian way). In his book, “How to Turn Thoughts Into Things,” Bo Sanchez writes, “Remember: Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God…” If God is first, then there must be a second, a third, a fourth…” Which aspect in life do you think you’re missing at?
-If you want to avoid sickness and do your best to raise your family, then act on it. Live a healthy life, exercise, visit a doctor if necessary, and learn from the advices of fitness experts. Want to transform your workout into worship? Click here to find how!
-If you want to have financial security for your family, or want to raise money for your own ministry, then give time to gaining financial knowledge from different sources. Find a mentor who can help you find new ways to get financial independence. Learn how to earn extra income. Attend seminars on finance. Look for useful information (books, internet, industry reports, etc.). St. Teresa of Avila also acknowledges the importance of money in accomplishing God’s work when she said, “Next to God, we need money.”
-If you want to enhance your relationship with your parents, spouse, children, or friends, then spend quality time with them. Watch a movie. Play with the kids. Have dinner together. Go out on a date. The key is to be at the right place, at the right time, with the right heart, “and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord (1 Cor. 10:31).”
So go on and CONTEMPLATE about the things that you want to do, but in the end, be sure to ACT on them.
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