Contemplating today's Gospel
Today's Gospel + homily (in 300 words)
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».
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.
“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)
