In today’s gospel we hear the spiritually rich story of Martha and Mary. It’s an easy one to place myself in the scene, sometimes Mary, sometimes Martha. I can relate to both of these ladies within my heart.
We all desire peace in our soul, a peace that keeps us from being anxious about the many things that go on in our lives. While there can be numerous sources of unrest in a person’s soul, one of the biggest obstacles is a heart closed off from God.
Like Martha, our heart at times is not open and receptive to God’s voice. St. Ambrose wrote about this topic in an exposition of Psalm 118 from the Office of Readings. He begins be explaining how important it is to have an open heart:
My Father and I will come and make our home with him. Let your door stand open to receive him, unlock your soul to him, offer him a welcome in your mind, and then you will see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the joy of grace. Throw wide the gate of your heart, stand before the sun of the everlasting light that shines on every man. This true light shines on all, but if anyone closes his window he will deprive himself of eternal light. If you shut the door of your mind, you shut out Christ. Though he can enter, he does not want to force his way in rudely, or compel us to admit him against our will.
It’s not easy being open to God, as it requires trust in his merciful plan for us. We may not know where he will lead us, but we need to trust that it will be for our good.
The biggest obstacle to peace in your life is a closed heart. When we close our heart to God and turn away from him, we turn away from the warmth of his love and kindness that he wants to give to us. He holds the key to the door of your heart, will you respond to His invitation and open the door wide to Him?
Selah
Smitten With Goodness 