Year of Mercy Reflection

Friday, Jul. 15, 2016

A Martha becoming a Mary with mercy

 

I have been a struggling Martha most of my life. I am a planner, a worker at tasks, and I have a penchant for the completion of lists. I have been guilty of not having compassion with those who are more contemplative and who can sit at the feet of Jesus. I, like Martha, am guilty of wanting to get dinner cooked and served.

This Year of Mercy I have been urged to slow down. The urges came with several steps of realization about the insanity of my daily and weekly life. I had the luxury of some much-needed time away from my weekly job to begin the study of my home and life. 

This journey led me to the deep cleaning of many parts of my home and some remodeling projects. I learned, slowly, to enjoy the journey and to really be a person, not a list of tasks to complete. 

In the last few months I have had time to really evaluate how to be a person who can accept mercy as well as share in the time at the feet of Jesus. Prayer has become a listening to the whispers of the wind, the recognition of rest, and the grace filled moments of peace. Recognizing the need to slow down, simplify, and relish the small successes in daily living has been a great gift of mercy. I now look forward to the daily tasks after time with prayer and exercising the gifts of mercy.

Mandi Knaras

St. Ann Parish