Readings:
Galatians 1:13-24
Luke 10: 38-42
Reflection:
In Galatians we are giving an insight into the person of Paul. A man of conviction who owns who he is and what he is. He does not shy away from his past nor what he has done and admits to his actions and enlightens us as to where he is taken. He is led onto another path and his conviction is that it is a path chosen by God. He listens, stays the course and then doesn’t rely on other authorities but rather only on his God and this call to go.
This helps us understand the man and his mission and his perception that he has listened and has heard as has Mary. Mary, like Paul, is not distracted by the things around only her focus is to recognise the presence of Jesus and stay with that and allow the spirit to lead her.
There is a bit of Martha in us all – we get busy, distracted and get caught up in the ‘doing’. This is not a bad thing so to speak. Rather, if we are to follow Jesus then there must be discernment, patience, listening and then go out.
Paul helps us understand the call to mission and his whole life becomes that focus; that everything comes from the heart of Jesus Christ. “All I want is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and to share in his suffering by reproducing the pattern of his death” Phil: 3:10-11
So, let us remind ourselves that what God calls us to may lead to places where you would rather not go. We go there anyway – to lead lives of love, compassion and service.
Paul Traynor is married to Clare and has two children Sam and Lucy. He lives in Greytown which is in the Wairarapa Region on the North Island of New Zealand. Paul is currently working as the National Passionist Family Groups Coordinator for Aotearoa, New Zealand.