The daily Word of God

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The story of Martha and Mary may feel a bit worn out from frequent use, and, on the surface, it’s quite easy to interpret: in the Church, the active and contemplative lives must complement each other. Still, someone recently made a humorous comment about it: Martha might have done better if, instead of complaining, she had said to Jesus, “Master, could you speak up a bit so I can also hear what you’re saying?”

That may very well have been the intention behind Jesus’ words—and Luke’s telling of the story. There is much to be done in the world to make it better, to help it align with God’s plan and gradually reflect the values of the Kingdom. But the builders of this new humanity must also remain attentive to the words of Jesus, which continue to inspire and guide them. Could Jesus’ response to Martha contain a subtle warning against hyper-activism—a kind of busy concern for the here and now that risks losing its deeper meaning and purpose? Could it be a gentle critique of a society obsessed with productivity and immediate results—one that too often forgets its ultimate motivation?

Like Martha, we don’t know exactly what Jesus and her sister Mary were talking about. But the fact that they spoke for a long time, probably in low tones in some quiet corner of the house, points to the value of silence, reflection, and a bit of solitude in order to be truly present with the Lord. That was necessary then, and perhaps even more so today, since the age of stress and hurry had not yet arrived. Centuries earlier, the prophet Jeremiah had already lamented: “The whole land is desolate because no one takes it to heart” (Jer 12:11). Can real reflection even happen in our world, so full of noise and constant stimulation? Some fear not only a superficial generation, but a generation of deafness. What can come out of the deafening noise of nightclubs?

There are still people in the Church who question the lifestyle of Carthusian or Trappist monks, or of cloistered nuns. At worst, they see them as people disillusioned with life, simply running away from the world. This, at times, even contrasts with the admiration many feel for prayer practices from non-Christian traditions rooted in ancient Asian religions.

There may well be much to appreciate in those traditions—but wouldn’t it be wise to first savor what Jesus offers us? To learn to drink from our own deep and rich well? To know how to “waste time” with Him, as Mary of Bethany did?

And before ending our reflection, it’s worth taking a quick look at the story of Jonah, which Jesus refers to in His preaching (“There is something greater than Jonah here”—Luke 11:32). Through Jonah, Nineveh was brought back to salvation; and Jesus is ready to bring our world back too, even when it feels lost to us. And He deserves more of our attention than Jonah ever did.

Your brother,