Mary and Martha
Greetings on this the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Genesis 18:1-10a; Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42
Summary
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance. Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. (Cf. Luke 8:15, LK 10:39).
Reflection
Be honest. Have you ever rushed through prayer in order to get to the really important things?
In our gospel portion today, Martha wanted to get the world right for Jesus. A proper welcome. A proper accommodation of a guest. In Mary’s case, she stopped everything in order to receive the welcome offered by the guest. A welcome into the divine life. The mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ (Col 1:26-28).
Personal Reflection
There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her (LK 10:42).
I like Martha. Actually, I am Martha! But… I need to be more like Mary. My Martha/Mary moment is in prayer…. My version of Martha rushes through prayer in order to get to the really important things. Jesus gently reminds me… choose the better part and it will not be taken from you.
I can do both: kept the word with a generous heart and sit beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Everything in its proper order. 1. Jesus. 2. Everything else. Don’t worry, Jesus will say to me when its time to do the other things: Get up, let us go (MT 26:46).
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072025.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry