[You] are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing. – Luke 10: 41-42
I really love this tender portrait of an evening dinner which Jesus spends at the home his close friends Mary and Martha. In the past, I have tended to identify with Martha – a dedicated hard worker, perhaps not very patient with those I perceive to be less so. I often heard this passage as an admonition to slow down and make sure I found some times for quiet prayer.
Today, I find myself hearing the Word differently. Retired from an active ministry, now living in a Jesuit health care community, going to dialysis three days a week.
I hear Jesus say to me more directly, “Andy, only one thing is necessary now. Let go of a pile of worries and anxieties. Listen to me. Listen to me tell you I love you. Listen to me forgive you with tender mercy. Let yourself enjoy my affection for you. Feel comforted and enjoy just being with me. Me in you; you in me. “
Dear Lord of my life, thank you for this deep gift today, inviting me to receive your love and your grace, being rich enough and asking for nothing more. Please bless your people with these gifts of your love. Let us be a welcoming, merciful church, missionary to the core, announcing the Good News of your love, offering us a vision of a church of Justice for all. Amen.
Rev. Andy Alexander, SJ
I was born and raised in Omaha, 8 blocks from where I now work. My parents were very involved in the Jesuit parish here and were outstanding examples of a commitment to service for my sister and me as we were growing up. I entered the Jesuits in 1966, and was ordained in 1979.
I love giving the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, in any adaptation. One of my greatest privileges was to serve as pastor at Gesu Parish in Milwaukee for 8 years before coming here. The community there taught me about church, and the relationship between the worship which says who we are and the ministry to which it sends us.
One of the privileges of being back in Omaha was helping my mother care for my father, the last four and a half years of his life. Both of my parents have died and are enjoying the embrace of the Lord which they taught me about all of their lives.
When I write these reflections, I try to imagine the people who will be reading them. I try to imagine what ways I might be in solidarity with people struggling in any way. Then I read the readings. Then I ask, “what is the good news that we need to hear?” Something usually just comes, to me.
It is tremendously consoling to receive mail from people around the world, simply expressing gratitude for a reflection. Most of the time, it is enough to know, from the numbers, that people are finding this site to be a helpful spiritual support.
