Cycle C - Year II:  

17 July 2022: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Genesis 18:1-10

Second Reading:   Colossians 1:24-28

Gospel:  Please Read  Luke 10:38-42 

To choose the better part!

As we open our eyes every morning we thank the Lord in prayer. Because a beautiful and awesome day always begins with a prayer. Then, we plan and organize our activities the rest of the day. This is the ideal way of Christian living.

Today's Gospel narrative shows us the biblical foundation for such Christian living.  St. Luke tells us the familiar story of Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus whom our Lord Jesus raised from the dead.  As we know, Martha was the workaholic and Mary was the contemplative one.

Jesus is in Bethany visiting with friends.  He loves to visit the homes of Martha and Mary and enjoys their warm hospitality.  The sisters welcome Him in their house. Now, 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? Tell her to help me." (Lk 10:40)    

But 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. (Lk 10:41-42)   Now, notice that Jesus didn't tell Martha it was the best part. He said it was the "better part", to show that both are good choices but only a matter of priorities.

In our practical Christian living we might easily identify with Martha in 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 perhaps we do not hear the quiet whispering of God... in His word, in nature, in silence, in another person, in the depths of our hearts, and so do not receive the only nourishment we need. And yet, "One thing is only needed," Christ tells us, and it is Him in our heart.

Now, 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 is our Lord Jesus Christ 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. And 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 our Lord Jesus Christ, or taking us away from Him.

Anxiety and preoccupation with many things 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 may have.  His grace frees us from needless concerns and worries.

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

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

Ad Jesum per Mariam!