TWO PATHS, ONE DESTINATION

 

TWO PATHS, ONE DESTINATION

The two sisters were different from each other. One was more at home with pots and pans and hot stoves. The other was a master at playing host and welcoming guests by the warmth of a hearth. Martha was busy as a bee strutting in the kitchen. Mary was as cool as a cucumber lying down by the feet of her guest, listening intently.

At some point, Martha came out as a whiner. She complained she was not getting any help from her sister. Mary, on the other hand, was acting her role as a waiter—waiting patiently and hanging on the lips of the Master. Martha did right. Mary did well. Whiner or waiter, the two hit it off pretty well with the Lord. The Lord loved them both, for He truly loved them all, including Lazarus, who probably was caught up in an activity outside the house. Curiously enough, the two didn’t complain about their brother.

Two of the great pillars of the Church that Christ founded, Peter and Paul, were totally different from one another. Peter was impulsive; Paul was more pensive. Both pursued different paths. They even disagreed and argued about how much Jewishness to be incorporated into being a follower of Christ. They differed in opinions; they argued about those same differences. Paul even had to give Peter fraternal correction at some point. But they were one and dogged in their pursuit of the same Kingdom that Christ has come to establish.

We, Filipinos, are a difficult bunch. Decades after getting our independence, we still are dreaming about unity. We are still sorely divided. This does not mean, however, that we are a hopeless people. Today, the Gospel shows us the way. Among others, it reminds us that it is OK to be different and to have varying opinions about anything and everything. Like in the case of Martha and Mary, it is perfectly OK to work for the same destination via different pathways.

Two pathways. One destination—the one thing necessary. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------

Have you embraced your uniqueness? How are you using it in getting closer to Jesus?

You have created me uniquely with my mission in mind. Help me to be faithful to Your design for my life. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________