Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time ‘b’

LK 10:38-42

In our Catholic tradition, we have many beautiful prayers dedicated directly to God, to His Son Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit. But we also ask for the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of many other saints. We are invited to recite the rosary, to say certain litanies, to read the scripture, to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacraments, and we have many other devotions. All of them are beautiful and very meaningful. Back in the seminary we were encourage to each day: say the rosary, to read the bible for at least 15 minutes, to spend time on private adoration, to read a religious book. I remember that many times after a busy day, before going to bed, I realized that I missed one of those components, so I rushed to do it before sleeping. Most times those prayers or readings were done in a rush, without proper meditation, without even thinking about God. I quickly noticed that when I was doing that, I became just like Martha from the gospel reading today. Instead of just trying to be with Jesus and listen to Him, enjoy in His presence, I was rushing with my prayers doing them carelessly. Mary didn’t care about any earthly duties -- she just enjoyed being with the Lord. Sometimes instead of trying to say all the prayers that we know, or which we promised to do, it is better just to listen to what Jesus has to tell me.