18.07.2004 16th Sunday Ordinary Season - Year C
First Reading: Genesis 18, 1-10 Psalm 14
Second Reading: Colossians 1, 24-28 Gospel Reading: Luke 10, 38-42
Abraham greeted three men under a tree. He had them wash their feet, and prepared
bread, milk and meat to relieve their hunger. In the end he realized that he
had received God Himself, his God, who repaid his hospitality beyond all expectations:
he foretold the birth of his son, notwithstanding his age or his wife Sarah's!
The Gospel reading is also about hospitality. Martha and Mary receive Jesus
with the disciples during one of their journeys. They were on their way from
Jericho to Jerusalem. They were also on an inner journey inspired by the words
and the decision of the Master. He had just spoken to them about the parable
of the good Samaritan. He had spoken of himself in a veiled but understandable
manner and had shown how he wished his disciples to be totally ready to serve
their brothers.
The short passage in Luke shows us how Jesus can be welcomed. The two sisters
open the door to him. Martha receives him in her home, Mary receives him in
her heart. We can learn from both!
Martha sees the material needs of both Jesus and the disciples: they need to
wash, to drink and to eat. She busies herself with all these things. Jesus would
certainly have accepted with gratitude. It seems that Martha is giving a perfect
example of the teaching of the good Samaritan.
Her sister Mary is also happy with their visitors: she receives them by sitting
at the Lord's feet, like the disciples, and listening to every word that comes
from his mouth. She accepts purification and nourishment and her thirst is quenched
by what he says. Jesus must have felt loved by her! She delights in his company
and with her desire to listen, she seems to say: "You are important, Jesus,
for my life! Tell me what you want and I will do it. Teach me and I will do
all you want. Mary is not being idle, she does not wish to do her will, but
her Lord's! Martha is busy serving, but at a certain moment loses her patience!
How can her sister just sit there and listen to Jesus. She feels sure of herself
to the point that she reproves Jesus for having no interest in her and her work.
She wants her sister to help with the food and drinks. She wishes to be considered
more important than her sister by Jesus. Her words said with obvious disapproval
create an unpleasant atmosphere for everybody. With her expectations, Martha
destroys that climate of peace and serenity that Jesus creates with his presence
and his words.
Now, let us listen to what Jesus says, remembering that he loves Martha and
appreciates her spirit of service. Serving one's brothers is important, as he
had just taught, but it must be preceded by listening. Serving one's brothers
is a divine service full of love for God and pervaded by the Holy Spirit! For
this reason, service must be in obedience to God. It is, therefore, necessary
first to listen to Him in order to do what is truly His will! Mary indeed, chose
the better part, the part of those who fill themselves with the Word of God
and of the Holy Spirit.
We can learn from both sisters: we can learn always to be ready to do what the
Lord asks of us and not just what comes to our minds. Even for the tired and
suffering brothers the most important thing which consoles and gives strength
is the Word of God, is being oriented towards Jesus. He is the bread and water
and the wine which gives strength and cheers men's hearts.
St Paul helps us in reminding us of his joy in being able to suffer for us.
He suffers and in doing so completes in himself the formation of the image of
Jesus: he gave himself in sacrifice and we will be perfect when we also offer
our lives even at the cost of sacrifice and suffering. There is no better or
more precious service than this: to make everyone perfect in Christ! All our
hospitality must keep this in mind so that in us too, his image may be realised!
Wise and merciful Father, give us hearts that are humble and mild, to be able
to listen to the word of your Son that continues to be spoken out in the Church
that gathers in his name to receive him and serve him as our guest in the person
of our brothers.