Do you have a Martha hand or a Mary mind? What can you do to achieve a peaceful balance in your life? - Daily Reflections October 7,2014

BEING STILL IN HIS PRESENCE

 

Today, I start with a little admission. I sort of identify with Martha who was a take-charge person. I am sure some of you also do. I cannot stand it when something needs to be done and no one lifts a finger to begin doing it. And so, the take-charge guy that is me steps in to the rescue.

       The problem with having a “Martha hand” is that we feel sore about all the rest who have a “Mary mind.” This, Martha was guilty of. Mea culpa, I also would like to say. At times, when “nothing seems to be happening,” and I am busy “making things happen,” I complain like Martha did: “Lord, do you not care?”

       Seriously now. “Lord, do you not care that some people seem to be always getting more than their fair share of work? Do you not care that there are those of us who do all the sowing, planting and reaping while some always seem to be getting the lion’s share of the harvest? Do you not care that there are those of us who are destined to do back-breaking backstage work, and there are those of us who bask in the limelight and get all the applause and the adulation?”

       Ouch! That little prayer of mine hurts. The truth, indeed, hurts. And the truth about us who have the need to be self-sacrificing is that, at a certain point, we feel left out in the cold, unnoticed, unappreciated, unsung heroes all, but stung deep inside by a gaping wound of regret and recrimination. “Where has everybody gone?” One feels like Eponine of Les Miserables, who has to go through storms that one ultimately cannot weather.

       And it all begins when one feels alone — unaided, unhappy and complaining.

       But I have good news for all of us worrywarts today. The Lord does care for all, whether you have a “Martha hand” or a “Mary mind.” For one, He is there to listen to our rantings, like He did to Martha’s complaints. He, too, was there for Mary. Having chosen the better part, He let her be — still, peacefully listening, in His presence. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you have a Martha hand or a Mary mind? What can you do to achieve a peaceful balance in your life?

 

Lord, thank You for understanding who I am. May I please You with what I am.