The Joy of Work
Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.” Many of us can relate to Martha’s predicament, because we admit that, like her, we too have been anxious and worried about many things. In today’s world, the Martha of today’s Gospel can be male or female, young or old, rich or poor, employed or retired, of any race or nationality. We have too much to do but too little time to do it. But it is during these times that Jesus is telling us: This Good News is for you. Take a break and listen!
Jesus’ remark was not intended to criticize Martha’s work; neither was it meant to compare which is greater: contemplation or works of service. In fact, both are equally necessary for the Christian life. Rather, Jesus’ remark is a gentle reproach on the attitude which Martha had taken while doing her work. The story of Martha and Mary is about the attitude we take on whatever it is we are doing. Mary was listening closely to Jesus and she loved every moment of it. Meanwhile, what started out as a labor of love for Martha became a cry of complaint. Like Martha, how many times have we started out loving what we do, only to end up complaining that we are doing all the work? What we need is an attitude adjustment.
Jesus said, “There is need for only one thing,” and that one thing is love. Whatever it is we set out to do, we must try to do it with love from start to finish. There will be those lovely times of labor when we’re not looking over our shoulder in order to check on how little other people are getting done. Instead, we go about our tasks knowing that God is lovingly watching us. Our work is no longer something exacted of us; it is no longer toil that is given grudgingly. Rather, our work flows freely from within, becoming an expression of gratitude: how good it is to be alive, how good it is to be doing this work here and now.
Whether you are in church for Mass or for any activity, your well-being and security is very important. Fr. Bill has established a Security Team to address security issues in our church. As a result, our church has new security procedures and church exit maps to help you in case of an emergency.
Registration begins today for Faith Formation for children. Grades K to 6 students please register with Long Che; Grades 7 to 8 students please register with Ky Chai.
Fr. Lou Aldrich, S.J. is visiting our parish community on July 27-28, 2019. He will be giving a one-day seminar on July 27 from 10 am to 4 pm; the topic is: Spiritual Warfare. Beginning with the history of spiritual warfare, Father Aldrich will explain the nature of our main spiritual enemies and how to defeat them by faith in Jesus. This seminar will include how the devil affects us and how we can protect ourselves and others. The seminar will also examine why the devil is such a powerful force in today’s world and how we should respond to it. Father Aldrich will also explain the process by which temptation leads to sin; and how the attraction of the world keeps us away from God and away from the life of grace. Father Aldrich will also explain gernerational spiritual warfare. Engaging in spiritual warfare can ultimately help us develop spiritual and moral virtues, especially humility and love.