Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Scripture:
Reflection:
“God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” 1Jn 4:16
Growing up in California I would spend some of my time in our, very large Mission fig tree, that was in our backyard. It was very old, and its branches were large enough to allow me to recline on them. I had one branch that was my favorite. I would climb up and lay back on the branch and watch the sunlight dance between the leaves. It was there that I would ask God many questions in my heart. The one most often asked was, “What is love?” Throughout my life I have continued to search for the answer and have found it in many ways. Through all the adventures and experiences of my life I have found that it has many forms and these all come back to its center which is God. Sometimes it is very easy to show love and other times it is difficult. For me, the difficult times are where I really learn about the blessings and graces that come from love.
The first reading from 1 John is a beautiful reflection on love. God loved us enough to send his Son to forgive our sins. Christ’s Passion was the greatest act of Love. Giving himself to allow us to be able to enter eternal life. When we make sacrifices for others or when we assist others without recognition, we perform small acts of love. These actions reflect God’s love and as God’s sons and daughters our acts of love help to bring the presence of God to others.
Martha and Mary are examples of the two types of Christian love. Love shown in the service to others and the love shown to God and both types of love are needed. Martha showed her love through preparing a place for Christ to stay and food for all of them to eat. Mary was taking time to be with Christ and to hear his words and take them into her heart. Active service and prayer or reflection are both ways in which we show and respond to God’s love. Neither one is better than the other, the key is balance. Putting God’s love into action and then finding time to reflect or just sit in your favorite spot and speak to God in your heart.
May you and your families enjoy this time of summer and may God’s peace and love continue to grow in your hearts.
Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.