Surrender It All to Him

Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi

First Reading: Galatians 1:13-24

Brothers and sisters:
You heard of my former way of life in Judaism,
how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure
and tried to destroy it,
and progressed in Judaism
beyond many of my contemporaries among my race,
since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions.
But when he, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart
and called me through his grace,
was pleased to reveal his Son to me,
so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles,
I did not immediately consult flesh and blood,
nor did I go up to Jerusalem
to those who were Apostles before me;
rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas
and remained with him for fifteen days.
But I did not see any other of the Apostles,
only James the brother of the Lord.
(As to what I am writing to you, behold,
before God, I am not lying.)
Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
And I was unknown personally to the churches of Judea
that are in Christ;
they only kept hearing that “the one who once was persecuting us
is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
So they glorified God because of me.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139:1B-3, 13-14AB, 14C-15

R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Gospel: Luke 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.”

NAB

oct-4

Saint Francis of Assisi, ora pro nobis, pray for us.

Who among us cannot sympathize with Saint Martha in the Gospel today,troubled and anxious as she bustled about her tasks? You know how much I can relate to that! The bills, the dinner for eight, the school work, the prayers on my knees for my family, the birthday cards sent late, the deadlines rushing upon me while I cradle a feverish infant, the constant needs from my children . . . .

Maybe your troubles are schoolwork. Seeking employment, navigating a relationship, seeking treatment for a medical need or a spiritual need, or maybe simply the mundane daily wake-eat-work-eat-sleep pattern.

But, oh!, my sisters! I know it might feel glorious to leave the cares of the world and collapse at the feet of Jesus, as Mary did, and God knows our need for that. He also knows what we must do, and calls to us to relieve our burden. Seek Him in the tasks. Pursue Him while you work. By His mercies and graces, as you navigate the oh-so-hard moments in life (Lord knows there are plenty), let Him be your constant companion as you work and play. Quiet your mind to hear His voice. Pursue greatness in the mundane, work with intention and love, and meet Him in every thing and everyone.

Even though we cannot spend our whole days resting in Christ’s presence at His feet as Mary was called to do, we can choose to not complain and be with Him while we work. In our busy and burdened lives, we can meet Christ. The great thing is, is that Saint Martha eventually did, and went on to become a saint despite her anxiety and need to bustle. Surrender it all to Him, and He will be pleased to meet you there. He will sanctify every task and every breath. Simply invite Him there, into your busy world and your troubled heart. The more we surrender, the more His peace will reign.

The more we surrender, the more His peace will reign.Click to tweet