January 2004
January 2004
A letter for the Homebound from the Family Commission
YOU HAVE THE BETTER PART
When I asked to write about our brothers and sisters in the third age, I thought to myself: What am I going to say? My experience is limited since I work primarily with young people. However, I trust that God is in all of us and is for all of us.
After reading the articles in the SFO rule (art. 19) and constitutions (art.27) that deal with the care of the elderly, I thought to ask and investigate among my own senior brothers in the Capuchin fraternity where I live and also to consult my own beloved mother. One of them mentioned the need for the elderly to keep themselves occupied with manual projects and to explore the arts, such as painting, music, and poetry. I believe, it is very important for our senior brothers and sisters to have the opportunity to grow in age with grace and dignity. I see that the SFO rule gives many avenues for our brothers and sister to do that.
At the International level, Alicia Gallardo, SFO writes about on how to take care of our elderly members of the SFO fraternities. She gives good and valuable points on how fraternities around the world should appreciate, respect, organize and love the elderly. My point in this article is to highlight the famous words of Jesus to Martha while visiting them. Martha is complaining to Him that her sister Mary is not helping in the chores of the house and Jesus’ response is: “Martha, Martha….Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:42)
These words of Jesus are an opportunity for our elderly brothers and sisters to hold onto because Jesus is putting in the first place this communion with Him without diminishing the importance of “sacred hospitality”. Everything is important for Jesus if done out of love for Him, but He seems to tell us that the part of Mary is very important for the well being of the church, the Order and the world in general. Why? Because, Mary symbolizes the contemplative dimension of our life. Those moments of silence, of attentiveness, of listening to the Lord are moments of intimacy with Him. Those are not waste time, but moments of trust, of filling our lamps with oil, of refreshing our souls with tender love, to fill our vases with clean waters and to let Him touch us with His Holy spirit. The elderly have the better part now and a great opportunity to be filled by Him. Let us not waste it and take courage and adore Him in “Spirit and in Truth”.
There is only one thing then that is to pray and to be in His presence. This can bring transformation within you and around you. This intimacy can give meaning and hope for our world. Jesus in the gospel of St. Luke in chapter 22:46 is also inviting us to separate us from our good Lord. Christians are called to remain faithful in trial moments as well as in good times. Pray and take this better portion of our lives seriously and contribute to the redemption of our church and the Franciscan family. Pray for all of us Martha’s, that we may also take in responsible manner this invitation of Jesus.