SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

In Martha we are shown the imbalance of a life whose one urge is work and more work; a life that honours energy and perseverence but which neglects the inner world with its need to revivity, the inmost depth of the soul, its care for spiritual beauty and freshness; of keeping one’s intention pure and alert.

There is something one-sided here: Martha, also should have sat down in the Master’s presence, and let somethimg enter her soul. Time to work will be forthcoming afterwards. The main values are not what we produce by OUR drive, talent, or hard work. But the motive behind all this – whether in our deepest self we are true to our supernatural principles, and strive to live up to them.

When the obsession with work becomes imbalanced, it can make a person irritable, nervous, complaining, unjust to others. Work becomes a crushing yoke, a burden instead of being a vocation gladly followed. Nowadays work is indeed a burden which weighs terribly upon humanity. Do not let us allow our soul to become embittered and deformed by work. Let us put our heart into our work which serves to lead us to God.