Memorial of Saint Martha
If there was a trial to convict you of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence? Our parish paradigm calls us to a discipleship in which we think, talk and act like Jesus. This means everything we do and all that we are, reflects Jesus the Christ. We must be grounded in Christ so that other may encounter Christ’s presence in us.
Today’s scripture illustrates people in the presence of the Lord. The readings challenge us to look at what happens when men and women of faith are truly in God’s presence. Both Moses and Martha had a direct relationship with the Lord, unlike most in their days. For Moses, it was as if he spoke with the Lord face to face. God’s glory shone in the radiance on Moses’ face. For Martha, a close friend of Jesus through her brother Lazarus, she would meet Jesus and listen to Jesus’ words with the whole of her being. Her deep faith allowed her to hear those words and respond, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”
Martha and Moses were very aware that they were in the presence of God. Their lives reflected this knowledge, this belief. As a Eucharistic people, we know that the incarnate God is truly present in our lives. How is this knowledge, this belief reflected in our lives? The Lord is truly present to us not only in the Word and Sacrament, but even in the people around us. What would our lives be like if we lived every moment as if the Lord’s presence guided our every thought, every spoken word, every action?
“Lord, open our eyes today. Give us a deep awareness of Your presence in our midst. Let our understanding of Your true presence grow intensely, so that our lives reflect and glorify You Oh Lord. Amen.”
-Michael Montgomery