“Don’t Miss Out On Angels” by Rachael Flanagan
16th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Have you ever had it where your brain is stuffed with things you have to do: get such-and-such assignment done, email so-and-so back, finish the bla-bla-bla before noon, text what’s-his-face about the thing on Friday, etc… when someone catches you in the hallway and starts talking to you about something you find really random? Like their upcoming weekend plans, friends who are visiting from out of state, or some kind of boring fight they got into with their friend? Ever find yourself nodding and responding with a plastic smile or a fake expression of concern, but you are silently wondering “okay – how long is this conversation going to take?! I have stuff to do!” Or maybe you’re actually abrupt with that person, cut them off and make your escape?
Let’s say you get everything done on your giant to-do list. Congratulations. At the end of the night, do you ever find yourself mindlessly scrolling through, Instagram or Twitter – desperately trying to squeeze some kind of meaningful (albeit artificial) social connection? Do you ever feel like you need something more to feel fulfilled before you retire for the night and the day is over – gone – and lost forever?
Both of those situations are all too familiar to me, and I wonder if they are connected. I wonder…if we actually stopped throughout the day and allowed ourselves to go beyond superficial interactions with people, would we be more fulfilled at the end of the day? If we allowed ourselves to have meaningful encounters with the people we meet each day, would we even feel the need to scroll endlessly on social media at night? I have a feeling, if we don’t do this, we might be missing out on something big. The book of Hebrews says, “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels” (Heb. 13:2). Angels?! What else have I missed out on?
The readings this week are stories of such encounters. In the Gospel, Jesus is visiting his friends Mary and Martha. Martha is stressing out, running around trying to get everything just right with the appetizers she prepared from a complicated Pinterest recipe, the nice party plates and matching napkins – while her sister Mary chooses to sit by Jesus and listen to him speak. Martha gets fed up that Mary is seemingly not doing anything, and complains to Jesus. Jesus says in replay, “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.”
At that, I am sure Martha realizes what is really important is simply being with and encountering Jesus. Just sitting and listening to him, not driving herself crazy getting the meal and ambiance “just right.”
In the first reading, Abraham does a little better. Three mysterious men show up to his door and Abraham recognizes that this is an important encounter and he doesn’t want to screw it up. (The scripture actually reveals that they are God’s messengers –ANGELS!!- appearing to him in disguise). Sure, Abraham has his freak-out moment where he runs around, quickly slaughters a steer and begs his wife and servants to help him prepare an impromptu meal. But then he spends time with them while they eat their picnic under a tree. For this, God rewards Abraham and Sarah. The angels tell Abraham that he and Sarah will finally get to have the child they always wanted.
So slow down. Choose the “better part,” as Jesus said, and try to have a real encounter with the people you meet each day. Some may be angels. Let’s face it – most will probably be random humans – but see how you can encounter God through them. And encountering God will certainly leave you more fulfilled at the end of the night.