Jul 21 2019 Reflection
Sunday 21 July 2019
First Reading: GN 18:1-10A
Responsorial Psalm:
He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
PS 15:2-3, 3-4, 5
Second Reading: COL 1:24-28
Gospel Reading: LK 10:38-42
Today’s Note: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading:
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.”
Reflection:
Martha, Martha . . .(Luke 10:41)
Have you ever been so absorbed in a task that you don’t hear someone calling you the first time? Or maybe you are so upset about something that your wife or husband has to be extra gentle in speaking your name—more than once—to help you calm down.
That’s the situation Martha found herself in when Jesus came to visit. She wanted everything to be just right for her guest, so she set to work. The food had to be perfect, the house spotless, and the kitchen immaculate. Even if she had to do it all by herself—even if all the work drove her half crazy—she was going to do it.
“Lord, do you not care?” (Luke 10:40). Martha’s question wasn’t a plea for help as much as an accusation born out of exhaustion and frustration. Don’t you see how hard I’m working? You should be feeling sorry for me. This is so unfair. Tell Mary to get off the floor and give me a hand.
Martha thought that many things were needed—all the tiny details that go into making a perfect meal for an honored guest. But the only thing that was needed, the only thing Jesus wanted, was to be with her. He wasn’t looking for an elaborate meal or a red-carpet welcome. He came to share his heart with Mary and her and to invite them to do the same with him. The food would take care of itself. If worse came to worst, he could always multiply some bread and fish! And so, to cut through her stressed-out aggravation, he spoke her name gently. Twice.
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to worry about how every “room” in your heart looks. Jesus is not going to reject you or complain if a few things are out of order. Remember, he entered a world of suffering, spite, hatred, and hurt—and he redeemed it.
Right here, right now, Jesus is calling your name. Gently. Twice. Open the door, welcome him in, and come sit at his feet.
“Lord, you are all I need.”
