The past week we had beautiful weather. Some of you may have enjoyed outdoor activities and continue to plan for more vacation time with your family and friends. Well, that is good to have a break from your daily routine and relax. It contributes to our healthy living.

However, there are times when we feel that God is not fair to us. We complain. We get frustrated and disappointed because we were not able to get what we wanted or what we think we deserve. But let us take a look at our gospel this Sunday. Maybe it can help us to see what we fail to grasp sometimes.

First, the gospel tells us of the visit of Jesus to the home of Martha and Mary. It must have brought joy and excitement to both sisters. They welcomed him in a most loving and hospitable gesture, but each in a different way. Martha kept herself busy in the kitchen by preparing good food while Mary remained at the feet of Jesus to listen to Him in their living room. But Martha complained to Jesus in the middle of her preparing the food because she was burdened with much serving. She said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

Martha was probably surprised to hear this from Jesus. But what was the point of Jesus? Was he saying that what Martha did was not appreciated as compared to what Mary, her sister did? I think Jesus is driving a very important lesson to learn in our daily lives. And what is that? Living a balanced life. And what is balanced life? A life that is not solely focused on work and leisure, but also includes having time with God to nourish our spiritual life. That is what Martha and Mary symbolizes.

Martha embodies the active part of working while Mary represents the spiritual need of our being. Both are important, but there are times when we are carried much by worries and anxieties in our daily life which some of them may not be essential.

We need to combine both aspects in our everyday life. Our prayer life must give direction and energy to our actions. Prayer is essential for living our Christian vocation. Pope Paul VI once said: “To live it is necessary to pray.” Food is nourishment to our physical life what prayer is to our spiritual life. We need to realize that prayer isn’t just a duty, ‘it’s a necessity’.