Homily Twenty-Seventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time (Lk. 10:38-42) “Pray-Then Act”
Homily Twenty-Seventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time (Lk. 10:38-42) “Pray-Then Act”
Today we remember two tremendous Christians. One Christian is St. Bruno who was the founder of the Carthusian Order and the other is Sister Marie Rose Durocher who founded the Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary. Bruno was a contemplative and lived life as a hermit. Blessed Marie Rose lived an active life founding schools for children in Canada. We could argue about which one of them was more faithful to Jesus.
The Gospel that we reflect on in today’s liturgy reinforces the tension between a contemplative life and an active life. Jesus seems to be critical of Martha for being too concerned about the details of hospitality while he complements Mary for taking time to sit at his feet to listen to his teaching.
Is Jesus favoring one type of Christian life over another? In looking at the whole history of Christian spirituality we would say that is not the case.
What we could say is that if a Christian spends all their time praying and that never leads to action then that prayer is not very authentic. We could also say that if a Christian spends all their time moving from one charitable work to the next without praying than that is not very healthy either.
Jesus is the model for us. He would go off by himself to pray and dialogue with the Father. When that quiet time was over though, he was ready to move in new directions. We could also say that after a busy period of ministry he was always ready to move into a time of contemplation.
Prayer that leads to action is what Jesus modeled and what we as Christians seek to imitate. Charity that leads to reflection is what we seek to replicate in our life as well.
Reflection Questions:
- Am I a Christian that tends to act more than I pray? What might I do about this?
- Did Jesus love Martha and Mary equally? Does that tell me anything about how I am to live?
Dear Parishioners,
As we move into the winter months, we know that the COVID 19 virus is still with us. The virus seems to be transmitted more by inhaling the breath of an infected person rather than by touching something that someone sick with Coronavirus touches. Why then do we continue to sterilize surfaces?
We do this to address the flu virus. In the southern hemisphere this summer there has been a lot less flu during their winter months. This is beneficial in addressing COVID 19. If hospitals have a lot less flu cases in our area this will benefit all of us in the next few months. The hospitals will not be overwhelmed with sick patients.
Let’s continue to mask-up, practice social distancing and cleanse our hands so that we all can remain healthy in the days ahead.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over us.
Fr. Mark