杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

杏MAP导航 Francis focused his catechesis at the Angelus, Sunday, on the importance of not allowing life鈥檚 events to overwhelm us, encouraging the faithful to listen to the Lord, whose voice is a guidance.

The day鈥檚 Gospel describes Jesus鈥� visit to the house of Martha and Mary. The two sisters welcome Him, and whilst one sister, Mary, sits at His feet - with the desire to listen to each and every word He speaks - the other sister, Martha, tends to Jesus鈥� needs.

The 杏MAP导航 expressed the importance of Mary鈥檚 actions, explaining that when we really listen to Him, the Lord surprises us, 鈥渢he clouds disappear, doubts give way to truth, fears to serenity鈥︹��. The 杏MAP导航 underlined the importance of always making room for the Lord, as listening to Him will help us 鈥渃arry out well the tasks that life assigns to you".

Service without anxiety

杏MAP导航 Francis then turned his reflection to Martha, who upon doing her best to make everything perfect for her special guest, becomes irritated at her sister who is doing nothing to help her. Upon realizing this, Jesus says to her "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things".

杏MAP导航 Francis explained that with these words, Jesus 鈥渄oes not intend to condemn the attitude of service, but rather the anxiety with which it is sometimes experienced鈥�. Instead, he said 鈥渨e express Martha鈥檚 concern鈥� and we follow her example in order to make sure that in our communities 鈥渢here is a sense of welcome鈥�, so that 鈥渆veryone can feel 鈥榓t home鈥�, especially the little ones and the poor鈥�.

Wisdom can combine contemplation and action

The 杏MAP导航 went on to explain that the story of Jesus鈥� visit to these two sisters 鈥渞eminds us that the wisdom of the heart lies in knowing how to combine these two elements: contemplation and action.鈥� He explained that Martha and Mary show us that both attitudes must go hand in hand in order for us to 鈥渟avour life with joy鈥�: we must listen to Jesus, as 鈥淗e reveals to us the secret to everything鈥� whilst still being 鈥渞eady in hospitality, when He passes by and knocks on our door鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his reflection with a prayer to the Virgin Mary, asking that she 鈥済ive us the grace to love and serve God and our brothers and sisters with the hands of Martha and the heart of Mary, so that by always listening to Christ we may be artisans of peace and hope.鈥�