Br. Hyacinth Grubb, O.P., on the Blessing of Our 'Uselessness'

"Uselessness looms. It threatens each of us every day, whether by injury or illness, the decline of age or joblessness. We are overshadowed by the possibility of being rendered non-productive, non-contributing, a useless burden. The Lord answers this fear, and he comforts us with his words, 'Be not afraid.' But he answers our fear of uselessness in a surprising way.

"Recall the story of Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38-42). Remember that Martha is the useful one. She works hard, she keeps the house running and guests well fed; she does what needs to be done. And Jesus rebukes her for her useful busyness. 'Do you see your sister Mary, how she has chosen to simply sit with me? Do you see how she has chosen to be useless with me? That is the better part.'

"To be useless with God is the better part. It is not a consolation prize for those who can't contribute, but is truly something higher."

In a recent commentary, Brother Hyacinth Grubb, O.P., reflected how being useless with God means spending time with Him and on how our fear of uselessness and the hurt that uselessness inflicts may unite our hurts and sufferings to the Cross.

To access Br. Hyacinth's complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: Useless (19 SEP 19)