16th Sunday in ordinary time
Wherever we are these day the summer holidays are in full swing with many people going to foreign destinations and many more staying at home. All of us are sweltering in the hot weather that is in Europe at this time. We pray for all those in France, Portugal and Spain who are affected by the wildfires and we also continue of prayers for Ukraine and its people. In our Gospel reading for this Sunday we hear all about Martha and Mary. On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus led his entourage into the village to call at the home of Martha. As the good host, she served them but, her sister, Mary, sat listening to Jesus. Martha tried to shame Mary into helping with the work but Jesus would have none of it.
Instead, he praised Mary’s choice when he said leave her alone for she has chosen the better part. Martha loved Jesus as much as Mary did, and it is clear that he treasured them both. Her mistake was in not trying to find out how Jesus wanted to be entertained, while visiting her house. Her sister correctly senses that when Jesus comes on a visit the last thing he wants is to have people fussing over how to feed him. So, while Martha makes the greater housekeeping effort, Mary understands better what is expected of her by Jesus. Her contemplative intuition grasps the real reason for Jesus’ visit. He is there not to receive but to give, not to be served but to serve. He has something he needs to say and the one thing necessary is to listen to him when he speaks. There is a whole theology of contemplation in this gospel reading, on how to receive the Lord’s visit. It starts off from the basis that, no matter who our visitors may be, there is always something to be learned from them. When Jesus comes to us he wants to talk to us in quietness of our hearts and he wants to share with us the Word that brings us salvation. He comes not because he needs us but because we need him.
The one thing that is necessary for all of us, is to listen to the Word of God in the quiet moments of life and there like Mary in the Gospel we will find the better part. Martha’s roles of welcome and service are important works of the church as we welcome the Lord in the stranger and person in need especially these days when we have refugees coming to live in our midst from Ukraine and other places in the world. There were many gifts among women in the early church, some like Mary were quiet disciples attentive to the words of Christ; others like Martha were active in getting the work done. In their own ways, both Martha and Mary welcome Christ, each has apparently heard his teachings and shown love to God and service to neighbor. If we are to make people welcome in our community it will be by being attentive to who that person is and what they seek rather than giving them the impression that their presence is disrupting our well ordered lives. let us not be afraid of being like Mary in the Gospel attentive to what Jesus is telling each of us today and then may we take action to put it into our lives where we are.
Fullerton T 