Fr. Simon's Letter - July 17, 2022

Last weekend we heard Jesus say to us, "love your neighbor." And when asked: Who do you mean? Who is my neighbor? He didn't answer directly but told the well-known story of the Good Samaritan. He then asked, "who was neighbor to the man who fell to the robbers?" The point of the story he left for us to work out, but one thing is sure, no one is ruled out. Your neighbor is the one who is close to you, the one who crosses your path.

Some people qualify as neighbors because they cross our paths constantly. These are our family members and those with whom we engage in our workplaces and leisure activities. Since we belong to a local, national, and global community, they are the people in need in our local, national, and global communities. Beyond that, it's up to us.

This weekend, Jesus enjoys the hospitality of his friends Martha and Mary. Much ink has been and continues to be used to exalt the role of Mary over Martha. Mary is seen as the more spiritual and contemplative, while Martha is often seen as the disciple consumed with worldly cares, easily distracted by "life." The words of Jesus that "Mary chose the better part" are often interpreted to mean that there is a hierarchical divide between spiritual and active life, meaning our life in the "secular" world. This interpretation perpetuates an incorrect and unhealthy notion that many busy people like us who live and work out there in the "secular" world could not be spiritual; and that "spiritual" people couldn't live in this world and love this world.

We might want to consider what we heard in the Gospel just a couple of weeks ago to help us understand this passage. We heard that Jesus "resolutely determined to go to Jerusalem." Jerusalem is the place where he will encounter his passion, death, and resurrection. He is probably troubled and could surely use a listening ear. In Mary, Jesus finds a perfect companion. A big hearty meal is perhaps the last thing on his mind. It may be more than exalting Mary's role and admonishing Martha. That which we need at this moment is of most importance.

On whom is my focus when I help someone in need, on the person I am to help or myself? Am I doing it to meet the needs of the person I am helping or to meet my own needs? Do I reach out because it makes me feel good or less guilty, or so that God will be pleased with me? Or do I reach out because I see Jesus in that person who is in need? Remember last week – the Good Samaritan is the one who selflessly did what was needed for the person at the moment it was needed. Love is about answering the specific needs of the other. It is less about what we want to do and much more about focusing on the needs of others.

Blessings!!