The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Year C
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Response: Psalm 15
Second Reading: Col. 1:24-28
Gospel: Luke 10: 28-42
I just love the intimacy reflected in this picture of Jesus and his close friends. Martha appears exhausted as she shares the frustration that she has been running around providing hospitality while her sister Mary simply sits in adoration at the feet of Jesus. Martha is able to tell Jesus exactly how she is feeling. Probably, Jesus detects some jealousy as she complains about her sister.
Martha most likely expects to have Jesus come to her aid by telling Mary to go to the kitchen to assist her sister. While Jesus had obviously listened to Martha with compassion, he gently admonishes her by saying that she has indeed been "busy about many things." However, he tells her that Mary's decision to remain in his presence and to simply listen to him is the better "part."
Being "part" implies that it is not the whole. The hospitality is important also. Both
prayer and action routed in the prayer are important in the life of a follower of Jesus. The challenge for me is often finding the balance.
However, I do not believe I am alone in my struggle. Ironically, back in the 70's when I was teaching college English, we were told that the time was coming that people would only work four days a week and needed to learn positive ways of using their leisure. Obviously, the prediction did not turn out to be correct. For many different reasons, most people today work more than ever. Finding time for for even the necessary things can be difficult, let alone leisure time.
Balancing prayer, work, family, community, civic responsibilities, church activities, social life, and self-care is challenging. Each of us must find his/her own way, with the help of the Lord, who knows and understands us completely.
Perhaps, by expressing all of our innermost feelings like Martha and listening attentively like Mary, we will be able to find the correct balance for ourselves. We all have our own unique personalities, talents, limitations, and circumstances. Since the Lord knows and loves us better than we know or love ourselves, he can guide us. On our part, we need to seek his help, open our hearts, listen deeply, and follow his inspirations.
I am a definite Martha – as soon as I hear that someone is coming to visit my mind immediately goes into overdrive with details: clean the house, plan the meals, buy extra chocolate It is easy to see how Martha could be pre-occupied with the details of hospitality. The fact that Jesus visited their home regularly indicates that he enjoyed the warmth and welcome extended to him. The Bible is filled with examples of hospitality and how valued it is by God.
ReplyDeleteFather Marinucci, the priest who said Mass at my parish, offered an interesting take on the dynamics between the sister’s behaviors. He suggested that Mary made a bold and courageous decision to become a disciple of Jesus. Sitting at the Master’s feet is the symbol of discipleship. Martha is shocked at her sister’s decision. From her perspective, Mary is ignoring the law – women are not permitted to do such a thing! Sitting at the feet of the Master was exclusively for men. In those days women were permitted certain roles of preparation but when it came time for instruction they had to leave the room. Martha was fulfilling the prescribed role. She challenged Jesus as to why he welcomed Mary to join him.
In essence, Jesus was demonstrating the overturning of the old law. Mary was beginning to see this truth. Jesus is telling Martha that she is also needed to join and learn and respond to the Word. Like Martha, we are called to move beyond just encountering Jesus. We are to nourish ourselves with Christ so we can become better versions of ourselves.