It was our date night yesterday and we watched the movie “Lucy”. The storyline is built around the fact that we use only about 10% of our brain’s capacity. What would happen if we were able to increase that to 20%, 30% or even 100%? Professor Norman in the movie cites the example of the dolphin which is able to use 20% of its brain’s capacity. Because of this, among other things, dolphins can echo-locate using their heightened senses. This ability is part of the dolphin’s being. Man can also echo-locate because he has the instruments like sonars to do so. This capability is part of man’s having. Using only 10% of our brains, men have been able to achieve and create civilization, mainly through the things that we have and the machines we have invented. If we use more of our brain’s capacity, we might be able to instill and incorporate into our being the things that we just have as tools and instruments today.
Today is the feast of St. Martha, the perpetual busybody. Both she and her sister Mary had a great love for the Lord. It was part of their being, alongside that of their brother Lazarus who was a very good friend to Jesus. They expressed that love in different ways of doing. Martha wanted the Lord to feel at home. So, Martha needed to have a feast ready for the Lord; she needed to have the house clean and in order; she needed to have everything in the dining room ready, in place and available. In contrast, Mary just spent time with the Lord. Never mind the food, she wanted to hear the words and stories of Jesus. Never mind if the house was not spotlessly clean, she just wanted to relish the presence of the Lord. And Jesus said Mary has chosen the better part.
How many times have I missed out on life because I was too busy with trivial things? I can sometimes spend time mooning or sulking that I miss out on time I could spend with my loved ones. I can sometimes get caught up in computer games when I could be outside enjoying more of nature. I would sometimes try to save some special chocolates for a special occasion only to find out later these have expired on me. I postpone saying words of endearments or giving tokens of appreciation, saying there would be time later for those. I put aside saying sorry and asking for forgiveness, or giving it, waiting for the opportune time. It is in the doing that I create my being so that in the end I can have the life I am dreaming of having.
For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me.”
The Lord said to her in reply,
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her.”
Luke 10:38-42