Daily Reflection – October 8
The Gospel tells the story of two sisters of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, who are close to Jesus. The story emphasizes the importance of prayer and the importance of not neglecting spiritual duties under the pretext of work. Jesus rebukes Martha, stating that she is anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary: Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. This rebuke is a caution for all to prioritize prayer and not sideline it in favor of work.
Martha’s attitude towards her sister Mary is a key point. She feels self-righteous, believing that only she is doing the right thing and Mary is doing the wrong thing. This misguided notion of self-righteousness is prevalent in various aspects of life, including politics, economics, and religion. Double standards are often a result of a deeper spirit of self-pride, where individuals rate themselves better and greater than others, looking down upon others, complaining against them, and dictating their actions. This lack of self-awareness and clarity of priorities is a significant issue in the gospel.
Two important lessons we learn from the Gospel today are: 1) We need God to direct our paths, and 2) God prefers relationship over activity, requiring our attention, hearts, and presence more than anything else.
Daily Reflection – October 8 Readings https://thelivingcompanion.com/daily-readings-october-8-ordinary-time-week-27-year-2/