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Contemplating today's Gospel

Today's Gospel + homily (in 300 words)

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
View 1st Reading and Psalm
1st Reading (Gen 18:1-10a): The Lord appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, he said: «Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant. Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way». The men replied, «Very well, do as you have said».

Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah, «Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls». He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it. Then Abraham got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before the three men; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate. They asked Abraham, «Where is your wife Sarah?». He replied, «There in the tent». One of them said, «I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son».
Responsorial Psalm: 14
R/. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
One who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue.

Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the Lord.

Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. One who does these things shall never be disturbed.
2nd Reading (Col 1:24-28): Brothers and sisters: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, 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.
Versicle before the Gospel (Cf. Lk 8:15): Alleluia. Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance. Alleluia.
Gospel text (Lk 10:38-42): Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her 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 from her."

“There is need of only one thing”

Fr. Bernat GIMENO i Capín (Barcelona, Spain)

Today we see a Jesus as divine as human: He is tired of his journey and lets this family He loves so much welcome him into their home in Bethany. He will take advantage of this moment to let us know “what matters the most.”

In the attitude of these two sisters we can detect two different ways of living the Christian vocation: the active and contemplative life. Mary “who sat beside the Lord at his feet,” while Martha was busying herself with plenty of chores and all the serving, always happy, but tired (cf. Lk 10:39-40-42). Jesus tells her: “Easy, you worry and are troubled about many things, but you must have a rest, and even more, you must rest by my side, looking at me, listening to me.” We must coordinate and integrate two different models of Christian life: to live Martha's way as much as Mary's way. We have to be attentive to the Lord's word, and, at the same time, alert for, more often than not, the noise and daily hustle and bustle which may hide God's presence. Because a Christian's life and strength can only stay firm and grow if he maintains close ties with the true vine, where his life, his love, and his yearning persist, not looking back from whence he came.

Most of us have been called by God to be like ‘Martha’. But we should not forget that the Lord wants us to be more and more like ‘Mary’ too: Jesus Christ has also called us “to choose the better part” and to let no one take it from us.

He reminds us that it is not what we can do that is the most important, but rather God's word that enlightens our lives by imbuing our works and deeds with the Holy Spirit’s love.

To rest in the Lord is only possible if we can enjoy the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Prayer before the Tabernacle! it is the greatest treasure we Christians have. Let us remember a sentence of one of Saint John Paul II's encyclicals: “The Church draws her life from the Eucharist.” Our Lord has many things to tell us, many more than we think. Let us, therefore, seek those moments of silence and peace, to help us find Jesus again and, in Him, to find ourselves once more. Jesus Christ invites us today to take this option: to choose “the better part” (Lk 10:42).

Thoughts on Today's Gospel

  • “Martha, you are blessed for your good service; when you come to the heavenly homeland, there will be none of these tasks there. What you will find there is what Mary chose.” (Saint Augustine)

  • “Christ's words are quite clear: there is no contempt for active life, nor even less for generous hospitality; rather, a distinct reminder of the fact that the only really necessary thing is something else: listening to the word of the Lord; which is eternal and gives meaning to our daily actions.” (Benedict XVI)

  • “To meditate on what we read helps us to make it our own by confronting it with ourselves. Here, another book is opened: the book of life. We pass from thoughts to reality It is a question of acting truthfully in order to come into the light: ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2,706)

December 15th
Third Sunday of Advent (C)

Gospel and commentary video

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