Meditation is an ideal way to pray. Using God's word (Lectio Divina) allows me to hear, listen and reflect on what the Lord wants to say to me - to one of his disciples - just like He did two thousand years ago.
The best time to reflect is at the beginning of the day and for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
Prior to going to sleep, read the Mass readings for the next day and then, in the morning, reflect on the Meditation offered on this website.
I hope these daily meditations allow you to know, love and imitate the Lord in a more meaningful way.
God bless you!


Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Luke 10:38-42 Burdened with Much Serving

Luke 10: 38-42 Burdened With Much Serving

(Click here for readings)

“Happiness is more than chasing pleasure.” This is the newly discovered finding from an MSNBC article posted March 6th, 2007. I hope NBC does not consider themselves the first to have discovered this life lesson. The Roman Catholic Church have been preaching and writing about this for over two thousand years! She follows faithfully the instruction she received from her Lord and his Apostles.

“Scientific research” (of course) suggests that it has nothing to do with income or experiences of pleasure. But rather, “(1) having a sense of engagement with others – whether love or friendships or social involvement; (2) influence at work; (3) A sense of meaning in life – living for a larger end.”

It is all true. Degree, career, girlfriend, car, travel, independence and money did not make me feel fulfilled at all to the degree I had expected. I think all who read this blog would be in total agreement. Love is not purchased; neither is happiness since happiness flows from love. The “pursuit of happiness” has nothing to do with reaching our goals in life or buying that thing you were always dreaming about. Happiness is deeper than that. It means living up to your values. It means being consistent in what you think, say and do. “Happiness has more to do with a way of being rather than a way of feeling.” And, not only does it make you happy, it makes you healthier, it makes you live longer!

“The things that people choose to do that are reflective of their values - that is what helps them be healthier, live longer and feel more contented. That is the “wow” of all of this!”

MSNBC’s three discoveries can best be summarized in the following Christian way: Living by giving; Making a difference; and Living for God.

When Christ is in the center of our life, there is no burden to hard to bear. Lord, do you not care that I have been left alone? Have you forgotten me? This is impossible with Christ. The Lord, in all fairness, should have responded, "Have you forgotten me?" What can easily happen is that I am anxious and worried about what is not necessary. What does the Lord expect from me? What does the Lord demand from me? The answer has always been that which was made from God and not man: My heart.

I cannot begin to tell you how many silly articles I have read in parish magazines that continue to portray the changing face of a parish priest. How he must be multi-media savvy, a great administrator, an incredible public speaker, team player, etc. And how he no longer has time to pray, to meditate or even prepare a good homily. In one particular article, the editor wrote that St. John Vianney was not a realistic model for priests today. I was very much tempted to respond, saying, “If priests are not praying, then they will be playing; and if they are playing, then we will all be paying!” Praying is the source of all giving, all loving and all living for God and neighbor.

Martha was a wonderful host. She was a marvelous cook. She was a neat freak and a detail-oriented woman. But she isn’t a saint for any of these reasons. She is a Saint because she did exactly what the Lord had told her (and us) to do. When she realized that she was over-burdened and under a lot of stress, she went to the Lord and the Lord reminded her (as he reminds us) to “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest.”

Sometimes we wait for something beautiful to happen to us, but Christ taught us not to wait for it but to give it.

Get some rest today and visit the Lord in the Eucharist. Receive him so that you can give him to others.

9 comments:

  1. Thank you, Father. I really needed to hear this today! I am feeling overwhelmed with my family life, and I think the same advice that you gave to priests (concerning the importance of a prayer life) also applies to busy moms and dads.

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  2. Here I am far from home and my church. Yesterday I mistakenly felt too busy for mass! Thank you Father for reminding us what is important. Today I will attend mass at Our Lady of Assumption (Fr. Michaelangelo Cimino). Praise God!
    Lk

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  3. Fr. Alfonse,
    How are you? We miss you so much! I was about to have a meltdown at work - it has been a busy couple of weeks and starting my day at 4am to feed Eleanor is really starting to wear on me when I have to work until sometimes 7! I feel like my days are crazy and then when I finally get to rest and reflect, I fall asleep and then it all starts over again ha! With tears in my eyes wondering how I would make it through another day with my 4th graders I thought, maybe God's word/His spirit working through Fr. Alfonse's words will have the answer! Thank GOODNESS I can get on blogger at work! THANK YOU for your blog bc it was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. I have always been a Martha nd I love what you wrote about her and the importance of coming to Christ in prayer to gain rest. Thank you for the reminder! We love you and miss you, would love to see you soon!
    God Bless,
    The Reinbergs

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  4. Fr. Alfonse,
    How are you? We miss you so much! I was about to have a meltdown at work - it has been a busy couple of weeks and starting my day at 4am to feed Eleanor is really starting to wear on me when I have to work until sometimes 7! I feel like my days are crazy and then when I finally get to rest and reflect, I fall asleep and then it all starts over again ha! With tears in my eyes wondering how I would make it through another day with my 4th graders I thought, maybe God's word/His spirit working through Fr. Alfonse's words will have the answer! Thank GOODNESS I can get on blogger at work! THANK YOU for your blog bc it was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. I have always been a Martha nd I love what you wrote about her and the importance of coming to Christ in prayer to gain rest. Thank you for the reminder! We love you and miss you, would love to see you soon!
    God Bless,
    The Reinbergs

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  5. Wonderful Advice Father! I am off to visit my Lord! And yes, He already has my heart and soul!

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  6. "There is need of only one thing."

    It is amazing how the simply things can be the most important and the most difficult to remember. From day to day, moment to moment, it is so easy forget that there will be a day when I will lie on the threshold of death. When I will have to face judgment. When there is no more time to make less money, and love more. No more time to be less distracted with the flashy world, and pray more.
    Each day is gift. Each moment is gift. What I choose to do with that gift cannnot be changed. There is no replay button in life. None will escape death so each one must decide what he or she thinks is important. What the purpose of life is. Christ says, "There is need of only one thing." What do I believe this one thing is? What am I living for? And do I remember each day and each moment to live for that one thing?

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  7. Father!
    This particular message on your blog is truly God speaking through you, directly to me. Affirmation of my prayer life, my priorities...thank you for your gift of meaningful words.
    Blessings!

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  8. “Martha was a wonderful host. She was a marvelous cook. She was a neat freak and a detail-oriented woman. But she isn’t a saint for any of these reasons. She is a Saint because she did exactly what the Lord had told her (and us) to do. When she realized that she was over-burdened and under a lot of stress, she went to the Lord and the Lord reminded her (as he reminds us) to “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest.”

    Yeah, this Martha thing is getting old, at least the ‘before’ Martha, (before she ‘gets it’). Too many years spent giving and never receiving can wear you out, make you resentful and undermine the spirit of giving.

    I have to remember there is a time for everything!

    “Sometimes we wait for something beautiful to happen to us, but Christ taught us not to wait for it but to give it.”

    Just tried this unconditional love thing you’ve been ‘harping’ on, and it’s amazing how in giving, we receive. (mmm, that has a familiar ring to it)

    It sounds like there needs to be a balance here. What a novel idea.

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  9. Great Meditation Father! At Mass yesterday I was contemplating am I a Martha or Mary? Am i really a Martha? I think I am? I hope and pray that the Lord is patient with me as I try to sort this out so I can spend more time with Him and less time with things that dont really matter.

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