>>> FRANCIS OF ASSISI – Pray for Us!
MARTHA—WHAT MATTERS MOST—BEING WITH JESUS
Introduction
We speak much today of poverty and or returning to the true values of the Gospel. What St. Francis of Assisi (1181/82-1226) undertook in the 13th century might very well inspire our times. Today’s society threatens to destroy itself in many parts of the world by its own philosophy and prosperity; even in developing countries, artificial needs are forced on people, to the loss of the deeper values of God and people. What we need is not only talk about poverty and evangelical living, but responsible Christian living according to the values of the Gospel.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
it is a pleasure for us to celebrate today
your gentle and loveable saint,
Francis of Assisi.
Let us go through life like him
one with you, one with nature,
one with all that is good and kind-hearted.
Make us humble and peaceful like him.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen!
1 Reading GALATIANS 1:13-24
Brothers and sisters: You heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions. But when he, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas and remained with him for fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the Apostles, only James the brother of the Lord. (As to what I am writing to you, behold, before God, I am not lying.) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown personally to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only kept hearing that “the one who once was persecuting us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” So they glorified God because of me.
Responsorial PSALM 139:1B-3, 13-14AB, 14C-15
R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar. R.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works. R.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth. R.
Alleluia LUKE 11:28
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who hear the word of God
and observe it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LUKE 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
Commentary
Doing Mary While Being Martha
Martha has suffered much bad press due to the words of Jesus to her. Jesus wasn’t necessarily downgrading Martha. After all, he was so fond of the family of Lazarus and his sisters that it is this family he would choose to visit to spend a few restful moments before his passion commenced. Every one of them was dear to him. Nor was Jesus downplaying the importance of the work Martha was doing – after all, someone should take care of hospitality as well. I believe that he savoured whatever meal Martha offered. The text didn’t tell us. However, Jesus only diagnosed the worry and anxiety she suffered while engaged in work. What Mary had achieved was the constancy and calmness of mind that helped her focus on the present. If only Martha could continue to work but with a mind and heart at rest! If only we could also do the same as we go through the daily chores and ministries! (Cf. the reflection on July 29.)
Intercessions
– That we may recognize the Lord in the features of a stranger and welcome him as we would welcome the Lord himself, we pray:
– That we may welcome the best our brothers and sisters give us, even before we share the best of ourselves with them, we pray:
– That we may be and remain hospitable people, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Our mighty God,
you are partial to the poor.
From your own gifts,
we bring before you bread and wine.
Make us as genuine and simple
as these offerings,
that we may understand readily
the simple story of your forgiveness and love,
which you tell us through your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Lord of heaven and earth,
we thank you in the poverty of our hearts,
that you have let us eat from Jesus’ table
notwithstanding our inadequate faith
and our lukewarm love.
Keep accepting us in our weakness as we are,
help us to be and to do better
and to render wholehearted service
to our brothers and sisters in need.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen!
Blessing
In this Eucharist we have been the Lord’s own guests. He has been very hospitable to us, listening to us and speaking to us his warm words of friendship. He sends us out now to be one another’s guests and hosts. Welcome now the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!