Cycle C - Year II:  

17 July 2016: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical color: Green)

Gospel: Please read  Luke 10:38-42

Seek God first of all!

How do we start a typical day? As we wake up, do we rush to get things done for the day? Or do we pause a moment to plan first and organize our activities for the day? Do we have the habit of beginning our day in prayer, to thank the Lord for the gift of another day?

We hear this Sunday an incident in our Lord's public life that provides valuable lessons on how we can witness and live our faith in daily life.

Jesus is in Bethany visiting with friends. He loves to visit the home of sisters Martha and Mary and enjoys their warm hospitality. The sisters welcome Him in their house. While Martha is bustling about the house and trying to provide hospitality to their special Guest, Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet listening to His teachings. So Martha complains, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?"

Our Lord said to Martha in reply, "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 away from her."

We might easily identify with Martha with our very busy lives. We, too, welcome Jesus in our hearts. But soon after we are distracted by a great many things. Because there is just too much that needs to be done, in work and in our family with its many demands. And so it seems difficult to find time for good, solid meditative prayer. That is why we do not hear the quiet whispering of God, in nature, in silence, in another person, in the Word, in the depths of our hearts, and so do not receive the only nourishment we need. "One thing is only needed," Christ tells us, and it is Him in our heart.

While "service" is an important part of discipleship, Jesus teaches us to set our priorities right. The "better part" chosen by Mary in the Gospel narrative by St. Luke is Jesus Himself.

Thus, listening to the word of God is an important thing in our lives. Because what the Lord wants of us, first of all, is to be close to Him, put our trust in Him amidst our daily concerns. Time spent in -prayer is always important. When it comes to our spiritual life, prayers and meditation are critical. We hold up to the Lord our daily activities and scrutinize them in the light of His teaching, in order for us to see what needs to be strengthened or discarded. In this way we are able to see what is leading us closer to Jesus, or taking us away from Him.

 

God speaks to us constantly. But we have to leave our worries and distractions behind, and sit quietly at His feet to listen to Him. Only then will we receive the "better part" and the promise that it will not be taken from us. Only then will we produce "fruits" with patient endurance.

Anxiety and preoccupation keep us from listening and from giving our Lord our undivided attention. The Lord bids us to give Him our concerns and anxieties because He is trustworthy and able to meet any need we have. His grace frees us from needless concerns and preoccupation. 

Do we seek the Lord attentively? And does the Lord find a welcomed and honored place in our house?

Let us pray: O Jesus, reach out Your hand and still my anxious soul. Settle me down at Your feet. Give me Your light when I am in darkness. Because to be in Your presence is life and joy for me. You are all I need, and I was made to hear You. Free me from needless concerns and preoccupation, that I may give You my undivided love and attention.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!