110. Monday after Sexagesima Sunday.
Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth.
Luke 10, 38-42. Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
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The heart of Mary was good ground for the holy seed. She sat at the feet of Jesus, and heard his word. This is as it should be. The Lord calls it the one thing needful. Let us note it well. The word of God is as necessary to the heart, if we are to bring forth fruits of the spirit unto everlasting life, as the seed is to the soil, if this is to produce a crop of grain. If the word of God does not enter our heart, we can bring forth only the fruits of sin unto death and perdition. For nothing save noxious weeds grow wild in the heart; not charity, but self-love, hate, and anger; no work for God and heaven, but only worldly pursuits and aspirations. It is necessary to hear the word, even as Mary heard it. There are many who hear, and yet do not hear it. One who has no ear for music may hear the notes and chords, and yet not hear them, the music does not reach his soul or stir his heart. In like manner many hear the word of God, and their cold reason understands it; but they do not hear the heavenly music of the word, and are not sensible of its power to lay hold of the heart. — Do you hear these notes of love? Do you hear the shepherd voice of Jesus in the word? Do you hear the chime of the heavenly bells? — You are careful and troubled about many things; your ear is so full of the noise and roar of the world that it is deaf to the word of God. But remember, dear friend, that all your works, even the best among them, are barren and without root or kernel, if they are not the fruit of that faith which is a result of hearing the word. Begin in earnest, with your whole heart, to do that which Jesus says; then shall you taste how sweet his word is, and feel its regenerating power. — Lord, grant us this grace. Help us to love thy statutes, and to find delight and joy in thy word. Amen.
Father of mercies, in thy word
What endless glory shines!
For ever be thy name adored
For these celestial lines.
Here the Redeemer’s welcome voice
Spreads heavenly peace around;
And life and everlasting joys
Attend the blissful sound.