T he altar is more than a wooden, bamboo or stone structure found in many churches globally.  For most of us, everyday, the altar is composed of the multitude of encounters we have with people, with the Christ in each of them. 

Tuesday in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

Jonah 3:1-10

Psalm 130:1b-2, 3-4ab, 7-8

L uke 10:38-42  Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. (39) And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. (40) But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." (41) But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; (42) one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her."

Meditation by Elizabeth Furlong

W hen I reflect on Luke’s Gospel Reading of today, I imagine myself in the position of two of the individuals –Martha and Mary.  I think that most of you who are reading this reflection have read, reflected, and known this Gospel story for all your lives.  For me, every time I read or heard it, I’ve always immediately imagined myself in the Martha role.  I would think – “…but someone has to do the work. Someone has to do the concrete tasks of hospitality.  Someone has to do the cooking, the carrying of water, the housecleaning, etc.”  And, I would continue reflecting, “Given Christ’s response, is this a fair distribution of time and energy?”

For this writing, I imagined myself as Mary.  And, perhaps, for the first time, I recognized and came to really value the greater gift of hospitality she was transmitting.  She was present.  She was in the moment. She was engaged. She was being, not doing.

This Gospel Reading has such a strong message for us in late 2009 in this technology world where there are too many cell phones, Blackberries, I-pods, and many more devices that are barriers to each of us “being in the moment with the other.”  Many of you, as you read this, can instantly visualize the numbers of meetings you attend where professional adults are busy sending or checking their latest email.  For those of us who teach, we know the classroom world of students behind computer screens and with their texting devices.  We eat in restaurants and watch a table of four people conversing – not with each other but each talking to someone else on their cell phone.  And, the list continues of not being present to the other in the moment.

During our early morning coffee times with certain friends, Chuck frequently talks about the importance of ‘being present’ and of the many altars in life where we find Christ.  The altar is more than a wooden, bamboo or stone structure found in many churches globally.  For most of us, everyday, the altar is composed of the multitude of encounters we have with people, with the Christ in each of them.  Chuck told a story of his ‘being present’ with a stranger as they waited for a law office to open and the difference it made in both of their lives. Courtney told of ‘being present’ with a patient bleeding to death.  They both understood and practiced hospitality and the ability to recognize altars in their daily lives where Christ is.

Today, will you be Martha or Mary?  Will you be engaged, present, and in the moment with others?  Tonight, as you do a reflection of how your day went, which altars will you have been at?

Supplementary Reading

TRuE fAITH

They may look and not see, and hear but not understand. – Luke 8:10

It annoys me whenever I talk to someone and he looks like he’s listening intently, only to hear him say later, “I’m sorry, what were you saying again? I got distracted and I was not really paying much attention.”

But many times, that’s how we are with God.

Our faith is put into practice when we live out the teachings of Christ. Problem is, many of us go to church without really knowing and understanding what our faith is about. We often get involved in various community services and church activities but we lack knowledge and proper understanding of the doctrines of the Church. This is one of the reasons why we get easily swayed and begin to doubt our faith.

God is challenging us today: it’s not how often we go to church but how we understand its teachings and live it out.Jane Gonzales

REFLECTION:

Do we take time out to learn more about our faith so we may be ready to defend it anytime it is put to the test?

Heavenly Father, create in me a real hunger for Your truth that I may continue to learn more about You each and every day. Amen.