Lead Me

It’s hard to know what to expect.

Where we’re headed next, and what to do when we get there.

We’ve come to a point where it seems that division is everywhere.

Wars and terrorist attacks around the world.

In Syria, Iraq, France and Belgium, and right here.

Brexit in Europe, an attempted coup in Turkey.

Racial issues and ideological polarization here at home.

Tweets and posts and sound bites from all sides, 
With little regard for truth.

It’s enough to make you long for a simpler time.

I remember one such time.

A childhood summer, back in the 1950’s,

My brother and I spent a couple weeks with my aunt. 

She was living in the quiet, little town of Columbus, Indiana.

The streets, at least in her part of town, were still dirt roads.

At the corner of two dirt streets was a little Pentecostal church.

A typical little mid-western country church – but in a town.

And my aunt was living in the house right next door.

We’d sit on her porch in the hot night air.

And listen to the lively hymns 
Pouring out the open windows of that church.

Some were hymns I’d never heard before.

Others, I’d heard – but not in any church.

I’d heard them when my father would take us to listen 
To Dixieland bands.

When they came up the river from New Orleans to Cincinnati.

Songs like When the Saints Go Marchin In.

And Down by the Riverside.

I still remember one of those songs I’d never heard before.

It comes to mind whenever I read today’s Gospel passage.

Because it’s like the Psalm refrain that’s often paired with this Gospel.

Guide me Lord along the everlasting way.

I can’t remember the words from the verses of that song.

But I can still hear the refrain booming out those church windows.

Lead me, lead me, lead me along the everlasting way.

In our recent scripture readings.

We have a lot of people on the move.

All led along on their journeys, by God.

Guided by his teaching and his word.

Leading them through situations they could never have predicted.

Today we find Abraham and Sarah living in their tent.

On a hill overlooking Sodom and the cities of the plains.

Planning to make their way to a more permanent settlement.

Never expecting that those cities would soon be destroyed.

Never expecting that Sarah would soon become a mother.

A few days ago the Gospel spoke of Jesus sending out his disciples.

First his 12 apostles, and then 72 more disciples.

Never expecting that they would have the power he gave them.

The power to heal, the power to preach and be ambassadors of God.

They served as Jesus’ advance men.

As he himself also journeyed—to Jerusalem.

Today he comes upon the little village where Martha and Mary live.

Bethany, just outside Jerusalem.

Martha is trying to be the perfect host.

She’s nearly frantic, concerned about so many things.

So much to do, and so little time.

And Mary won’t help her.

Mary has planted herself on the floor next to Jesus.

To just sit and listen for any truth or teaching he might offer.

To take in his wisdom and guidance.

When Martha complains to Jesus, he doesn’t give her any sympathy.

He tells her that she herself has made her choice.

She’s chosen to focus on all her busy tasks.

While Mary has chosen the better part.

And also the more appropriate part for that moment – listening.

For most of us, it’s pretty easy to identify with Martha.

We all have busy schedules.

We all have more to do than we can ever get done.

But even if part of our load is doing “good works”.

Even if one of our busy-schedule items is getting to Mass—

Whatever our load, or overload—

We still need to take time out as Mary did.

We need to regularly take time—make time—

To just sit and listen to that voice of Jesus within us.

Because like Abraham and the 12 and the 72,

And like Martha and Mary,

And like the Indiana town-folk of half a century ago,

We’re all on a journey.

And we don’t know what will happen next.

But we do know that we can always rely on Jesus.

He’s always there, offering to lead us along the everlasting way.

If only we’ll set aside a few minutes a day to just sit and listen.

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time

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