Luke 10:38-42. As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the LORD’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “LORD, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the LORD answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Distractions. They’re all around us. What we see, hear, do and have in our midst either takes us away or brings us closer to a good life. Does it really to help us perform better, relax or ease the stress of life? For many, the first thing to do is check their phone, email or turn on the TV. We are bombarded with emails, memos, advertising flyers, sports, news and business, to name but a few. How did these become so important? I used to check my work email first thing in the morning and then turn on the news. I wanted to be tuned in to what was happening and what I needed to take care of. We live in a society where one can easily see groups of people together and instead of enjoying and cherishing one another, they are texting or in search of something different on their device. Different than the beauty in front of them. Why does one try to escape the simplicity and joy of the moment? We are human yet we run from our humanness. We are meant to flow with life yet we try to control every detail. The ship of what one truly needs is steered away in a different direction. The problem is the more daily distractions the more we forget to live. Truly live.
The answer lies in much, especially in searching one’s own life. People and work flow in and out of our lives, as do the changing of seasons. Things change constantly. Nothing stays the same. Yet we resist the flow and try to create something we feel should be. Before too long, the true self begins to fade and slowly disappear. Living in the moment for a higher purpose becomes but a distant dream. Inevitably, the precious moment you might have shared with loved ones has vanished, the text replaces the human, the sales ad beckons you to spend on something you may not have needed and on it goes and deep within there is profound emptiness. Only to board the next emotional distraction train. The truth is, our lives were never meant to be filled with distractions yet instead filled with laughter, love and joy. It is that love and joy that we need to seek each moment in our lives.
Divinity guides us in seeking goodness and justice beyond ourselves. Distractions lead us away from discovering the true divinity of life. Away from true happiness. Distractions are but situations, things and toys that wither, but divine love is everlasting. We were created to be a Holy people for one another. A people of strength and creativity to search for goodness in the world. Distractions lead us in the opposite direction of seeing the miracles and beauty of God’s Providence. We miss the burst and bud of new life and colour in a flower in a world that might otherwise be grey. The rain cleansing the universe. The tears of wanting behind a smile. The yearning for love beneath the gossip. The profound beauty and blessing at the root of fellowship. The swell and skip of a heart when faith has conquered evil. The cherishing of wisdom and works of elders and the richness they add to our lives. The miracle of birth and breath of a child. Seeking purity in the pain. Bearing witness to the divine Providence in a world of despair. Above all, we miss the great miracles of God in our life. It distracts us from the beauty that surrounds us. We miss the path laid for us so that we might attain the wonderful life God has planned. We convince ourselves that faith is about being nice here and there or when I get to it and that attending mass is not essential to our growth in love and wisdom. Despair takes root when divinity is not fostered. We miss the amazing journey of our true purpose. Whether it’s the path of a prophet, a healer, an evangelist or other plan God has, He wants it to grow in abundance.
In my life I want to be Mary at the feet of Jesus and listen. I am a servant of God. My life is offered to Him. I no longer check emails first thing or turn on the TV. Instead I greet the day with prayer and meditation on daily readings in Scripture. I greet the day with an open heart to see what God wants to unfold for me in my life. I discern my life and my soul. I burst with wonder of my vocation, the new day will bring. God fills us with all we need. I leave distractions in the dust of my footprints that now gravitate to an authentic, beautiful life. Today, try not letting things distract you from the truly beautiful moment that is in front of you. Live in that moment as if it was created especially for you. Seek the message of love and life just for you. Let divinity design your life. In all things God awaits to hold you close. God is always calling you back. Strive for a divine life.
In Prayers,
Claudia
Our Nourished Soul