Sit

Don't just sit there, get out and do something!

The New Evangelization movement calls us to action.

Jesus repeatedly calls us to action.

We're not saved by faith alone, but faith and action.

Just yesterday in our Gospel reading, Jesus was pushing for action.

Giving us the story of the Good Samaritan.

Showing it's not enough to just understand that we should love our neighbor.

Or to think about loving our neighbor.

Or to talk about loving our neighbor.

We have to get out there and do it.

Action!

Then we have today's Gospel.

The very next verse after the story of the Good Samaritan.

Jesus comes to the home of Martha and Mary.

Martha's in high-gear action.

Trying to serve her guest.

She's rushing everywhere; she's beside herself.

She complains that Mary is just sitting there.

Surely Jesus will praise Martha and sympathize with her complaint against Mary.

But no, Jesus says Mary—just sitting there with him—has chosen the better part.

And it will not be taken from her.

When we look more closely, we realize Mary isn't just sitting there.

She's taking the most appropriate action to honor her guest.

She knows that he's a prophet with a message to deliver.

And she's giving him her full attention—listening to his message.

The word listen is a verb—an action word.

She's engaged in an act of acknowledgment, acceptance and attentiveness.

She's engaged in action that not only honors her guest,

But at the same time increases her own wisdom, understanding and knowledge.

She's engaged in preparatory action that will shape her and make her better able to serve.

She has seized a fleeting opportunity to sit with Jesus and listen to him.

Our opportunities are not so limited.

We can sit there with Jesus just about anytime we want.

We can acknowledge, welcome and honor his presence.

His Spirit dwelling right here within us.

We may be frantically racing around like Martha.

But we can settle down like Mary.

Sit and listen for what his Spirit has to tell us.

Once quieted, we can hear his instruction and his guidance.

Then, with our interior preparation done, we're more ready.

Then we can get out there and do something.

Tuesday, 27th Week of  Ordinary Time

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