Last week, on Wednesday, July 29th, we celebrated the feast day of Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus who shared a home. The feast was, up until 2021, Saint Martha’s Day, but I like the change made by Pope Francis, because taken together, the saints show us the importance of both work but also listening to God and making family a priority.

Starting with Martha, in the Gospel from Luke when Martha asks Jesus to ask Mary (how very Midwestern of her to not confront her sister directly right?) to help her Jesus says Mary has chosen the better part and not to be so anxious. (Luke 10: 38-42).

It seems at first like what Martha is doing is almost dismissed. However, that’s not the case at all. Martha is a saint. And she often symbolizes service and work, something the Church holds as very important; after all we even have a special feast day called “Saint Joseph the Worker.” When we work, we care for the earth, we make society better, we do many good things. And remember too work was something Adam did in the Garden even before the fall into original sin. However, at times we might get too focused on our work so much so that, despite trying to do the good thing for ourselves and one another, we lose sight of deepening our relationships with God and one another almost so much so that their voices can be drowned out. Sometimes we work so hard, we become not more of a human being, but more of a cog. And sometimes kids learn this too – they become over-scheduled and perpetually busy, but maybe need time to just be a kid, and also learn there are things more important than sports and even schoolwork. This is where Saint Mary comes in – she understands God takes priority. So, on the one hand, work matters but it also needs to be behind God, and not take over our lives, especially if it means we’re busybodies not spending time with loved ones.

With respect to Mary though, it is also important to have time for rest and leisure; to have a family meal or game night, real conversations, and doing things with loved ones that bring joy, and also even time for just silence, peace and quiet. And of course, regular time to be with the Lord; to come to Mass and not say we are too busy, or that our “work is our prayer.” Even just a few moments a day makes such a difference to help us spiritually.

Work also is a part of life, and there are some who live in contemplative orders, and pray most of the day. But even these religious often assist in tasks in their community. It is great to hear God’s word, but we also have to put it into action. It’s important we try to find balance, and not let work get out of control, but also to be mindful that work is important. Through our work, we bring glory to God and also teach. As I’ve said before, in my life while I’ve learned so much from seminary, I’ve also learned invaluable lessons in seeing people like my parents, who worked hard day in and day out and came home to make our house look good, and quietly helped family and our church in so many ways. Similar stories are shared in countless families, as when we look to the people around us and how they lived their lives, they have in so many ways glorified God through their labor.

The Christian life is both active and contemplative – we need to hear God’s word but we also have to leave the house and live life. Hopefully we always have balance in both and take a page from both Saint Martha and Mary, hearing God’s voice and making that voice known by glorifying God through our actions.

Have a blessed week!

Fr. Paul

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August 2, 2026