Welcome to St. John the Baptist Church

Dear parishioners,

I want to share this reflection with you:

Poor Martha. She complains to Jesus that her sister has left her with all the housework.     Parents, caregivers, and restaurant workers, you know you can be run off your feet. Extra people makes more work. In Jesus’ time it was unthinkable for a woman to sit as a disciple, so Martha is understandably irritated. “Martha,” says Jesus gently, “you are anxious and  worried about many things” (Luke 10:41). Mary’s choice, to sit at Jesus’ feet, shows that she sees how   important it is to listen while Jesus is still with them. Martha knows who Jesus is (John 11:27), but forgets amid hostess duties. This is like what we do even now. We complain at Mass: the choir is too loud, the homily too long, altar servers are not  reverent,     people talk too much before Mass. When such details disrupt our attention we become Martha's. We are here to be Mary's, focused on the Lord. Let’s give him our complete attention and our profoundest thanks.