By Deacon Thomas G. Davis
Throughout our lives we are faced with deadlines. It began in elementary school with homework assignments to be done every night, to doing homework and budgeting time so that we could study for tests and complete group projects for all curriculum areas. This continues at an even greater level through high school, college, graduate school and finally, whatever field of work we have chosen.
Seven Ps
Review courses and time management programs stress the importance of effectively budgeting one’s time. During one of these time management programs I learned the “Seven Ps”: Proper Prior Planning, Prevents Pretty Poor Performance.
You might ask what does this have to do with today’s Gospel. Jesus is not telling Martha that she should not be concerned about going to such great lengths in preparing the meal for Him. Martha is performing “diakonia” (Greek for “ministry”). In other words, she is giving service to Jesus out of love. He says that Mary is also doing what is right by sitting at the Master’s feet and listening to Him. What we have is an example of both Martha and Mary doing what is correct.
Today’s Gospel is really asking each one of us to look at our daily lives from a professional, personal and spiritual perspective. This is where the “Seven Ps” come into importance. Some only look at their professional goals and objectives. They do all the proper prior planning for those goals to succeed. As a result, they have prevented poor performance and attained their professional goals to the possible detriment of their personal goals of considering their relationship to their spouse and children. They have also not even taken into consideration their relationship with God.
Others have taken their professional and personal goals and did do the proper prior planning to keep these goals in their proper perspective and importance. They have done the proper prior planning very well, and achieved their personal and professional goals. They have all they want in this world, but what about eternity? Have they included God in their goals and plans? The answer is again no.
Centered on Service
Both Martha and Mary had a great love for Jesus. Martha showed this by working so diligently in preparing a meal for Jesus. Mary displayed this by sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to what He was saying. The story of Martha and Mary is a great example of the “Seven Ps” in that their lives were centered on living the life God wants each of us to live: a life of care and concern for their neighbor. Their goals and values were centered on acts of diakonia. Finally, they included God in their daily life.
Today’s Gospel challenges us as we plan out our goals and objectives to include time every day to put ourselves in the presence of God. Time where, instead of asking God for things in our lives and to grant our petitions, we listen to what God has to say to us. You might ask how God will do this, and the answer is: Try and see for yourselves.
As regards the “Seven Ps,” if we include God in our planning of our values and goals and live by what He has taught, we will truly have exercised proper prior planning, which – with God’s help – will prevent pretty poor performance.
Readings for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Genesis 18: 1-10A
Psalm 15: 2-3, 3-4, 5
Colossians 1: 24-28
Luke 10: 38-42
Deacon Thomas G. Davis is a permanent deacon who serves at St. Anselm Church, Bay Ridge.