Busy is a word that describes everyone. What is man busy of? Money, power, honors, with only a few who serve God.
Even during the time of Jesus on earth, man was already busy. Jesus, too, was busy preaching about love of God and neighbor. When asked to stay, He did stay. If forced to leave, He left. He respected man’s will.
Busy is a word that characterizes Jesus’ public life. People followed Him to listen, be healed, fed and marvel at His miracles.
One of His places of recluse is in Bethany, at the house of His best friend Lazarus, and his sisters Martha and Mary. He was always welcomed to rest, be listened to and He enjoyed a good serving of Martha’s culinary delights.
Anxious Martha
In one occasion, Jesus was in the living room with Mary at His feet listening intently, while Martha was overly busy. Annoyed at Mary’s complacency and aware that Jesus knows their humanness, Martha complained: “Lord, do You not care that my sister had left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40). Jesus loved both Martha and Mary (John 11:5).
He said in reply: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her” (Luke 11:41).
Martha, with her unique spirituality, realized that work sanctifies, and Jesus has called Mary to contemplate on His words.
So six days before Passover, when a dinner was prepared in Bethany for Jesus, Martha responded faithfully. She served quietly while Mary “anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair” (John 12:2-3).
Action or contemplation
World leaders emphasize the need for productive labor force and technology to constantly improve the quality of life for an increasing population.
Church leaders, however, emphasize that the resources of the world can sustain a quality of life for all. What is needed are people who are enlightened on loving others as they love themselves—a spirituality that has to be contemplated on and lived.
In man’s arduous search for peace, comfortable and fulfilled life, and still be entitled to eternal life, what should he do? Is there a specific formula to live the ideal life? How can man be truly human and yet truly divine?
Everyone is created by God for a purpose, perform the tasks of a specific calling, know, love and be with Him forever in heaven.
Although God has destined some people to exclusively serve him like contemplatives, priests and religious, more people are needed to sustain activities and life on earth.
To those who serve Him unselfishly, He promised heaven or sainthood. So the majority of saints declared by Mother Church are from the ranks of the religious, as expected, for they have the luxury of quiet moments. God is the center of their longings, woven in the fabrics of all activities and apostolate.
Workers in God’s vineyard
However, everyone can bring God to one’s place of work where God is proclaimed through words and actions. And Jesus’ teachings on love and service can be exemplified.
In the words of Saint Escriva, founder of Opus Dei, “To be holy is not easy but it is not difficult either. To be holy is to be a good Christian. The more closely a person resembles Christ’s [action and contemplative life], the more he belongs to Christ, the holier he is.”
Man can exemplify Jesus’ teachings on love and service whatever work he does.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta, who was called the Living Saint, shared her formula on how to combine action and contemplation.
“My day begins with faith, [prayers] and comes alive through service,” the saint was quoted.
God, in his Omniscience, have destined varied roles for people—religious, married and those who opt for single blessedness. Whichever state of life, the sacraments are available while one performs his calling for God’s glory and love of neighbors.
Holiness is within the grasp of everyone. Holy and saintly people will not only come from the religious sectors but from all walks of life—from those busy in different endeavors.
The feast day of Saint Martha is celebrated on July 29.
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Damo-Santiago is a former regional director of the Department of Education National Capital Region. She is currently a faculty member of Mater Redemptoris Collegium in Calauan, Laguna, and of Mater Redemptoris College in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.