In any circumstance of our life, we choose. Every day, we are compelled to decide on actions or the words we will say to others. Back in our homes, in our community, or at our workplace, our decisions matter. Or even our decision to put ourselves aside for the sake of others, to confront a difficult situation, or to evade it. Which is which? I am certain that we have distinct priorities, and even at times, it will lead to frustrations.

In our gospel reading, “Mary has chosen the better part.” Choose God. This is the message brought by the very act and decision of Mary, the sister of Martha. Meanwhile, the latter was busy preparing the food for their visitor, Jesus. Mary sat and listened to Jesus. It is very clear with Jesus that whoever chooses God will not falter. She is lucky to be present at Jesus’ side and decide what will bring her joy.

Who are we in the presence of God? Are we Martha or Mary? What keeps us busy during the day? The week? The month? Or the year? Unfortunately, some people find that an hour-long service on Sundays is sufficient, yet it can still be challenging to satisfy when it comes to the number of hours spent with God. Due to long working hours, busy people cannot resist listening to and pondering the word of God. For others, it is difficult to choose God first before anything else. It is only when confronted with undesirable life experiences that they approach God.

If we look into the life of Blessed Francis Palau, his life was dedicated to prayer, in solitude, where his heart is absorbed in prayer despite his many concerns in the ministry, as well as in guiding the sisters in his care. In his letter to the Marias of Ciudadela, he writes: “Jesus is our beloved, and if our heart loves something else, it is lost; as God has created and could create nothing could satisfy it. Our heart has been made to love and to love Him alone. It is proper for love to love and to search for its beloved with a raging thirst, and since our Beloved is supreme beauty, the passion of the heart is insatiable and its torments are inexplicable.”

Believing that we are Jesus’ beloved, let us be accompanied by His word to listen in the depth of our hearts His will, not only once that like Mary, we will prioritize God, and with the presence of Martha in our lives, it is an invitation for a balance of a well-lived life.