Today July 29

Today is the feast of St. Martha (first century). Martha was loved by Jesus our Lord, and was very solicitous toward her heavenly Guest. She may have been the oldest of the three siblings: herself, Lazarus, and Mary, who sat at His feet, soaking up all His words. The mild rebuke He gave her: "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; but one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part and she shall not be deprived of it" only points out the truth of the saying "The good is the enemy of the best." Our Lord wasn't saying that hospitality and care of earthly things weren't good, just that they weren't the best thing. Listening to and obeying His Word is the best thing. And it makes sense, doesn't it? After all, our time is passing and not forever will we have care of earthly things: our food, our drink, our farms and fields, our health, our retirement plans, etc. But in heaven we will forever be able to sit at His feet and contemplate Him. How wonderful! How ecstatic! Yes, we'll also be active -- C. S. Lewis pictures us running and never tiring -- there will be that, too; but over and above all we can meditate on, contemplate and love, love, love Him. My husband told me that "dharma" means "destiny" -- and we all have it: that which we are destined for and that which we must find. I know my destiny: it is He. It is Christ the Lord.