I AWOKE early Wednesday morning and decided to read. I came across this: “Here is a universal rule of life. We will never produce anything great unless we are prepared to put something of ourselves, of our very life, of our very soul into it. No pianist will ever give a really great performance if he glides through a piece of music with faultless technique and nothing more. The performance will not be great unless at the end of it there is the exhaustion which comes of the outpouring of self.”
No wonder! After I delivered a “good talk”, I feel exhausted and usually can’t get back to my normal work routine. I usually go home to rest. Last Friday, September 13, was no exception. It was a short 30-minute talk I gave to more than 750 members of the Mother Butler Mission Guilds at their Luzon Regional Conference held at the Convention Center of the Baguio Country Club.
There, I shared three topics:
1. A story
2. A song
3. T.T.T.
The story was about Martha and Mary, M&M, as I called it. I shared what was written in Luke 10:38-42. I asked if they felt like they were acting as Martha or Mary, in their roles of providing vestments for the priests and linen for the altar, among their other roles as members of said ministry. As expected, most answered, “Martha”. And the challenge presented to them was to be “Mary” also. How? By listening to Jesus and putting His teachings into practice. Yes, listen and apply (LNA), listen and grow (LNG), and listen and share (LNS).
The song was entitled “Around the table of the King.” It is a beautiful song, I encouraged everyone to download the song with lyrics, from YouTube. (Pls. do the same). It is an awesome song with a great message, perfect for singing during Holy Communion at Holy Mass.
Leading others to the Holy Eucharist is a role we can all practice. With technology and by our lives, we can remind people of its importance. For truly, it is a commemoration of the Last Supper, where we are clearly told to “eat His body” and “drink His blood.”
And lastly, “T.T.T.” stands for “time, talent, treasures,” all God-given, that we are called to use and share for His glory. I Peter 4:10 says it clearly. “Each of us are given special abilities. Use them to help others and to share God’s many kinds of blessings. Are you asked to speak? Then speak as though God were speaking thru you. Are you asked to help others? Then help others, so that God may be glorified.”
My dearest MBMG members,
It took a lot of time and prayers to prepare for that talk. Some people might think sharing just comes naturally and spontaneously. Somehow when you speak from the heart, it does appear so, but preparation is always needed.
M&M, is a simple story in the bible, but the messages it conveys are voluminous. What are our purposes in life? What are our priorities? Is it enough that we fulfill our material obligations in support of the Church?
Or do we do what Mary did, when she chose “what was better“ (than preparing food and drink for Jesus and His disciples), by “listening at the foot of Jesus”?
Often times, we are called to be quiet, be still, and simply listen to the voice of the Spirit.
Let us be prepared and worthy to dine around the table of our King, to feast with Him, and our fellow followers of Christ.
Then, to go out to the world, using our time, talents and treasures for His glory.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”