"How great is the value of conversation with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, for there is nothing more consoling on earth, nothing more efficacious for advancing along the road of holiness!"

“Go and find Him when your patience and strength run out and you feel alone and helpless.  Jesus is waiting for you in the chapel.  Say to Him, ‘Jesus, you know exactly what is going on. You are all I have, and you know all things. Come to my help.’  And then go, and don’t worry about how you are going to manage.  That you have told God about it is enough.  He has a good memory.” - St. Jeanne Jugan: (1792 –  1879): was a French woman who became known for the dedication of her life to the neediest of the elderly poor)

Gospel Text: (LK 10:38-42)

Jesus entered a village

where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.

She had a sister named Mary

who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,

“Lord, do you not care

that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?

Tell her to help me.”

The Lord said to her in reply,

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

There is need of only one thing.

Mary has chosen the better part

and it will not be taken from her.”

How are we balancing the needs of our faith with our emotional, physical and social needs? Are we more like Martha, with our priorities focused on pleasing and serving those around us, or are we more like Mary, focused on our time spent with Christ?

Jesus makes it clear in today’s Gospel that the fruits of Martha’s labors are temporary – they will be gobbled up by her guests – but what Mary has gained from her time spent with him will last forever. “It will not be taken from her.” 

We, too, can make the same choice.