WHY WORRY? IT ONLY STEALS YOUR PEACE OF MIND
Everyone will face situations that can steal your peace. This is something we all have in common, sooner or later a situation will rise that will force us to decide how to deal with suffering. Some will know how to handle it in such a way that they do not lose their peace and hope, while others will easily lose their peace to fear and anxiety. Jesus, our Lord, had friends in Bethany, two sisters and a brother, whom he decided to visit. Here is what happened.
“As He was on His way, Jesus entered a village. A woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His Words. Martha, busy with the housework, said to Jesus, “teacher, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work? Tell her to help me”. The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
Let us analyze both Martha’s and Mary’s positions. They both undoubtedly welcomed Jesus with great joy. Martha set about working in the house because she was perhaps not prepared to receive visitors; there is nothing wrong with wanting the house to be tidy! However, here we must evaluate and discern what is most important, the priority, or what must be done. We see that while Martha made a big mistake, Mary recognized the priority in the situation; she was very clear that the Son of God was before them and that her house would become known then as now for a life lesson in what is important. She had the discernment to put EVERYTHING aside as she understood that this was a unique situation, so she sat at Jesus’ feet. What does such gesture mean? It means that she decided to show her love and gratitude to her Lord. She decided to take the time to LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD made man; Martha, on the other hand, did not do so and misjudged the situation and lost her peace of mind.
Today, like Martha, millions fail to take the time to listen to God; they devote time to many things, except the ones that matters the most and misjudge the situation. This is why we must practice what Mary teaches us. For Mary shows us how to take advantage of and prudently manage the situations of life. In fact, both our Mother, the Virgin Mary, and Mary of Bethany have something in common, they set aside time to listen to the Word of God. When the Archangel Gabriel tells the Virgin Mary what will happen, she judged the situation correctly and said “behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your Word” (Luke 1:38).
When Jesus entered the home of Mary and Martha, He surely noted what each of them did. One acted well and the other not so well; that is why Jesus says to the latter “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things”, she lost her peace of mind. (Luke 10:41).
What is the meaning of having your name called out twice? You will remember your mother or father calling out our name more than once, which meant that you had to listen carefully to what they were saying. In this case, Jesus reveals a great truth to Martha; in the end, He tells her that her sister Mary had chosen the better part and that it would not be taken away from her; peace.
Jesus reveals that being close to Him is the most important thing in this life and that NO ONE can take such a treasure away from us for in that closeness is peace. People who allow problems to drive them into fear and/or anxiety, fail to entrust their dilemma, suffering, pain or situation to Jesus, who said, “come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
Extreme worry sickens the mind and body and can lead to anxiety or depression from which Satan misguides many to end their lives to stop the situation’s suffering. However, this enemy of souls truly wants to take these people with him to eternal torment, which is a thousand times more painful than the problems they face in that situation. Mary of Bethany is, therefore, an example of life to her sister Martha and for all of us. She reveals to us a wonderful secret, having absolute Faith in Jesus Christ, for He is our safe refuge, our peace amidst any situation in this life. “He is not asleep” (Mt 8:23-27). He is alive, He understands your situation and your pain. He wants you to experience peace and hope through Faith and Trust in Him. Therefore, brothers and sisters take your situation and give it to Jesus! Place yourself at His feet, listen to His voice through prayer, the sacraments, reading His Holy Word, in the Blessed Sacraments, and by receiving His Body and Blood in the Eucharist turn your situation over to Him and preserve your peace. That is why serving others also gives you life, because those who truly have Jesus in their hearts give of their time and are generous to their neighbors out of the peace that is in their life. If you indeed are worried, here is a solution for you, put aside your many situations and kneel at Jesus’ feet; entrust your situation and your whole life to Him and He will sustain you!
I have some homework for you. Please read the passage where Jesus explains that you should not worry or be anxious about what you will eat or drink or what you will wear. (Matthew 6:25-34)
I close with Jesus’ last words to Martha, “what Mary has received, no one can take away from her.” There are things in life that thieves can steal, but this treasure of Faith and devotion to Jesus Christ, unless you allow it, not even Satan can steal it from you, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”; at peace (Matthew 6:21). This will be in you and in your certainty is the Peace of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I say to the young, let Jesus be your greatest Hope, the desire of your hearts. In our youth is when we choose how we want to live our lives. Therefore, I invite you to the CDJ on October 18th in Spanish and in English on the 19th at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Parents, I am counting on you to motivate and bring your youth. Today more than ever, the youth need our support to encounter Jesus and fall in love with His Words, so that they will always choose the better part, like Mary of Bethany. In this edition of the CDJ we will have a first-class relic of St. Carlo Acutis, safeguarded and promoted by Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo of Assisi, this is an event that should not be miss.
I thank and entrust the Sowers, servants, and Disciples of IamThe73rd to the maternal protection of Mary Most Holy and the infinite mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord, her Son, the greatest treasure of our lives. Let us continue our Vision so that no one is lost, and all are saved!
Your friend and servant
