I just had a mass this afternoon with those who are working to build our church. I asked them at the beginning of my homily, "Which is better, work or prayer?" I received no answer, but it would be safe to presume that they prefer work. Work produces pay while the result of prayer is hard to quantify. But the workers just heard the Gospel involving Martha and Mary. Mary decided to stay and listen to Jesus while Martha preferred being busy preparing something for Him. Jesus, after hearing Martha's complain about Mary not helping her at all, responded that Mary had chosen the better part. By staying and listening to Him, she chose Jesus, who is the better part.
Jesus was not really despising work per se. In fact, in the Gospel last Sunday about the Good Samaritan, He commanded His listeners to go and DO the same. Doing is at the core of the teaching of Jesus. In fact, if the Word is heard and not done, it has no meaning and effect. Here, Jesus emphasizes the priority of listening, praying or communicating with God. It is from God that we receive guidance. It is from Him that we would know how life must be lived. We can only proceed if we had heard Him. Then, we execute and live what we had heard. Whereas if one will just go and does things without asking or knowing first what to do, it is very probable that the work will have no direction, much more, the worker will finally find no meaning in what he is doing.
I reminded the workers that they do not live to work but they work to live. I was hoping that I could persuade them to believe that there is more than just working. Working, if it is to be meaningful and fruitful, must be in the context of faith. It is very important to spend time with God, the Author of Life and the Lord of Work. Working is connected to faith and life.
So, it is still true that we must work. Doing is important but always in connection with and in the context of ones relation with God. Listening is the better part because one could never go wrong in working after it. Doing without listening and praying may lead to a dead end.
Therefore, it is Prayer and Work. As the saying goes; "Work as if everything depends on us. Pray as if everything depends on God!"
Jesus was not really despising work per se. In fact, in the Gospel last Sunday about the Good Samaritan, He commanded His listeners to go and DO the same. Doing is at the core of the teaching of Jesus. In fact, if the Word is heard and not done, it has no meaning and effect. Here, Jesus emphasizes the priority of listening, praying or communicating with God. It is from God that we receive guidance. It is from Him that we would know how life must be lived. We can only proceed if we had heard Him. Then, we execute and live what we had heard. Whereas if one will just go and does things without asking or knowing first what to do, it is very probable that the work will have no direction, much more, the worker will finally find no meaning in what he is doing.
I reminded the workers that they do not live to work but they work to live. I was hoping that I could persuade them to believe that there is more than just working. Working, if it is to be meaningful and fruitful, must be in the context of faith. It is very important to spend time with God, the Author of Life and the Lord of Work. Working is connected to faith and life.
So, it is still true that we must work. Doing is important but always in connection with and in the context of ones relation with God. Listening is the better part because one could never go wrong in working after it. Doing without listening and praying may lead to a dead end.
Therefore, it is Prayer and Work. As the saying goes; "Work as if everything depends on us. Pray as if everything depends on God!"
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