Francis, Martha and Mary

Readings for Tuesday, October 4/ St. Francis of Assisi:
Jonah 3:1-10
Psalm 130:1-4, 7-8
Luke 10:38-42

Today we have that familiar story of Martha and Mary, Mary sitting at the feet of the Lord and Martha busy at work. As much as we may like to identify with one character or the other in the story, it seems that the reality is that we are called to be Martha or Mary at different times. The challenge is to be Mary before being Martha, since our action ought to be compelled by love that is poured into us in the presence of our God. Immersing ourselves in prayer, we are called to action. We see this also in the person of St. Francis of Assisi, who heard the called to rebuild the church while in the quiet of prayer. Grant, Lord, that we might always have the grace to be people of prayer led to action, and not simply people of action who sometimes pray.