10 October, Tuesday — Being Mary

Tuesday of Week 27 in Ordinary Time

Jon 3:1-10
Lk 10:38-42

“…you worry and fret about so many things…”

Today’s Gospel resonates with me strongly, with me experiencing my own ‘Martha’ moment.  Over the last few months, I had felt the world’s weight rested solely on my shoulders. I had a significant project at work and was constantly troubled by the many challenges I faced. It was up to me to solve these issues, and the risk of failure was high without me. My days were spent in numerous meetings and hours thinking of things that could go wrong.

Until I had my ‘Mary’ moment, and not by choice… I came down with a serious case of pneumonia.

I spent four very uncomfortable days in the hospital. Being forced to lie on my back most of the time, I found my thoughts moving away from my everyday distractions. With the pain in my lungs and an impaired ability to breathe or lie down properly, I found myself quietening down, slowing my pace to recover. I began to sense and enjoy God’s presence, both in my thoughts and experiencing His presence. 

As I spent this time in the hospital, I reflected on how I ended up there. I had been working out of a place in Serangoon Gardens and was having my lunch there. As I was doing so, I suddenly felt breathless. Finishing my lunch, I jumped into my car and drove off, intending to go home to sleep off the discomfort. During my journey, however, I heard a voice prompting me to go immediately to the hospital instead. 

I did.

By the time I reached the hospital, my condition had deteriorated, so I had to be put in a wheelchair and wheeled into the Emergency department. I was subsequently told by the doctors that both my lungs had been infected, resulting in them having fluids. Had I gone home and attempted to rest through the discomfort, who knows what could have happened?

While I was busy with the ‘busyness’ of life, I had failed to continue to be connected to our Lord. Yet, amid my distracted life, our Lord watched over me, keeping me safe from certain harm. 

Thank You, Lord, for teaching and reminding me that I always need to be like Mary and sit by my Lord’s feet as I busy myself with life as Martha did.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)

Prayer: We pray that Father, you help us learn to quieten ourselves and to sit by Your feet.

Thanksgiving: Thank You, Lord, for Your love and protection. Thank You for always watching over us!