Don't Worry---Be Happy

Don’t Worry—Be Happy.

Advice from a hit song some years ago.

A nice simple approach to life.

The singer/writer, Bobby Ferrin, said he got the phrase from an Indian guru’s poster.

Simple advice, but no easier to follow today than it was two thousand years ago,

Where we look in on Martha.

Martha is anxious and worried about many things.

Jesus is stopping in for a visit.

She’s got preparations to make.

She’s got a guest to welcome and serve.

Jesus is a good friend.

He’s often come to her home to visit her and her sister Mary and their brother Lazarus.

But a little formal hospitality is part of their culture.

Jesus may be a friend, but he’s also an important teacher and leader.

And Martha wants everything to go smoothly.

It’s not hard to relate to Martha.

We’re all anxious and worried about many things.

We’re all burdened with responsibilities and work.

Even if they’re responsibilities we’re happy to take on.

And work we love to do.

They’re still burdens—on our limited time if nothing more.

We start out as carefree children.

But soon we have classes to take, tests to pass.

Chores to do, rules to obey.

Skills to learn.

Then, we’ve got jobs to find.

Careers to pursue.

Bills to pay.

Homes to keep.

Families to care for.

And a hundred other things.

Necessary things.

It’s good to be busy.

But sometimes our days are too full.

Too full of activities and too full of anxieties.

Financial worries, health worries, worries about friends and family.

Worries about the world.

For some of us it’s an occasional problem.

For some of us it seems never ending.

We’re tense, and tired, and sleep deprived.

And even if we find time to sleep, we’re so wound up we can’t.

We suffer insomnia and even depression.

Amid all that anxiety and busyness, it’s easy to miss out on the better part of life.

That part that Martha’s sister Mary takes up in today’s Gospel.

Martha bounces around, frazzled with all that needs to be done.

Mary quietly sits listening to Jesus, enjoying his company and conversation.

Martha’s so frustrated and overworked that she complains to her guest.

Hey Jesus, don’t you care that I’m stuck alone with all this work?

Tell Mary to help me.

Martha’s surprised, and maybe we are too,

When Jesus approves of Mary’s slacker behavior.

Jesus tells her, in effect:

Lighten up Martha, there’s a better choice here.

Sure, the preparing and the serving is important.

But there’s a balance to be struck.

You’re not just a servant.

You’re my friend.

I didn’t come just to be served.

I’m here with you now to visit.

I’ve got things to tell you.

And I’d like for you to listen.

We should be enjoying each other’s company.

What I have to tell you can ease your anxieties.

You were made to be happy.

But you’re looking in the wrong places.

I can guide you to that fundamental happiness that lets you put everything in perspective.

Take a break from the preparation and service and busyness.

It can wait a little while.

There will be plenty of time for that later.

We live in a hyper-busy world today.

It takes some effort to balance our priorities.

Yes, there’s much work to do.

But not so much that we need to deprive ourselves of the better part.

So, let’s be sure to reserve “quality time” to spend with our families and friends.

And at least a little time, each day, to welcome our friend Jesus.

And to do some quality listening. 

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lk 10:38-42           Read this Scripture @usccb.org