XVI Sunday in OT[C]:Gen18:1-10a;Col1:24-28;Lk10:38-42

XVI Sunday in OT[C]:Gen18:1-10a;Col1:24-28;Lk10:38-42

Introduction: The first and last readings today are very interesting when read together.  They have so much in common.  Of utmost importance is the fact that they both revolve around hospitality and welcoming Christ as our guest and friend.  What strikes me right away is that the first reading is about the extraordinary hospitality Abraham offered to his guests, for which he was rewarded with the promise of an heir. Not a bad reward, especially in Jewish eyes! In the Gospel reading, however, Martha, who also offered considerable hospitality to Jesus, is dressed down by Jesus, for doing too much and worrying about all she needed to do in order to make Jesus comfortable.

 

Interpretations: There have been many interpretations of this story of Mary and Martha over the years. It is obviously a story about contrasts between the doer and the listener. In the history of the church is has been interpreted sometimes that the contemplative life is superior to the active life. Martin Luther used this happening to prove that there was justification by faith rather than by works.  Some theologians have seen it as the difference between Judaism and Christianity – Judaism which stresses the active hospitality and Christianity which has often stressed the spiritual life. Feminists today often look at this story and see that Jesus was going against the work of women of his day, and encouraging them to a life of prayer and study.

Exegesis: In the first reading, Abraham saw his opportunity to have God under his roof and he did not let it pass him by. He insisted thus: “…if I find favour with you, kindly do not pass your servant by…that is why you have come to your servant’s direction.” His hospitality transcended mortals and extended to immortals. Not only did he welcome them under his roof, he equally paid attention to what they have to say to him, gave them a good share of his time, and attended to almost all their basic needs. Of course, he won their friendship instantly and this friendship brought blessings upon his household. Paul succinctly tells us that the “Mystery that God revealed to the world is Christ himself among us.” This Mystery of course is equally our guest and friend, and also our hope of glory. In other words, He comes to us as one friend visits the other. Welcoming this Mystery which is Christ as our guest and friend is a pre-requisite for establishing a long standing relationship with God.

The gospel of today presents us with a terrain that must be walked with caution, least we fall victims of the error of thinking that Jesus is against one carrying out necessary house-hold chores or attending to our material needs. Far be it from this! As we grow in life our priorities change, and it is actually supposed to become less mundane. Of greater importance is the fact that generally speaking there should be a paradigm shift in our priorities as maturity sets in. Therefore, Jesus’s address to Martha: “you are anxious and worried about many things.  There is need of only one thing”, is well founded and goes to all of us too who in one way or the other are so distracted by the pursuit of mundane things over and above spiritual ones. It goes to all of us who have misplaced our priorities in life as Christians and in the house of God. It is not an excuse for us not to be hospitable to strangers, our guests and friends. Rather, it is a radical call to each and every one of us to set our priorities right. Jesus perhaps feels that it was not enough for Martha to welcome him to her house, but that she should also pay attention to what he has to say first and then go ahead to take care of material things later. Both the spiritual and temporal are good, but they are when attended to in their right order. Hence Jesus says: “It is Mary who has chosen the better part…” Jesus wanted her as he wants us today to set her priorities right by doing the first and most important things first.

Joke: A person had been confined to a mental institute. After years of treatment it was decided that he was well enough to be discharged. So the psychiatrist approached his patient to congratulate him. "I have good news for you. The board has examined your case and they have decided that you are completely cured. You can go home." Seeing the resentful look on the face of the patient, the doctor said: "Why are you reacting in this way? Aren't you happy now that you are cured?" And the man ranted back, "I am cured, but I am not going home! When I came here I was Pope John Paul II. I was busy like Martha in the Bible story, blessing people, writing encyclicals and giving daily papal audience to all the inmates and visitors of this house. But I will be nobody at home!"

Practical applications: 1) Give priority to spiritual energy: We should put aside the work we do for the Lord in serving others and just spend some time being with Him, talking to Him and listening to Him, fully aware of His holy presence in our souls. We may also recharge our spiritual energy by means of our personal and family prayers, our meditative reading of the Bible and our participation in the celebration of the Holy Mass. 2) We need listening Marthas and serving Marys: Martha has become a symbol of action-oriented, responsible people who get the job done. Our world and our parish churches need such dynamic and generous men, women, boys and girls. We need them for different services.  And also we need to train them to listen to God first. 3)  We need to be good listeners like Mary at home and in the workplace. Active and busy as we are, we have to find time every day to listen to God, to our spouse, kids and neighbors. Listening and quiet caring are essential for the success of married life, of family life and of the rearing of children with love, affection and a sense of discipline. Human love begins at home, and it begins with listening.

Introduction: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Message: Abraham, the just and upright man, graciously hosts three visitors.  As Mary and Martha host Jesus, he speaks of only one thing as necessary for us who follow him; being open to receive the message and person of Jesus, and being receptive to “the mystery of Christ” as he comes to us through one another.

Saints and Events in this Week: 22-Monday-Saint Mary Magdalene; 23-Tuesday- Saint Bridget, religious; 24-Wednesday-Saint Sharbel Makhlaf, priest; 25-Thursday-Saint James, Apostle; 27-Friday-Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.