Readings: Galatians 1:13-24, Ps. 139:1-3,13-15, Luke 10:38-42
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
In today’s Gospel passage, Luke reports Jesus’ famous visit to the home of his friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. This story tells us that Jesus had friends. Before we proceed, let us pause for a while and ask ourselves: “Is Jesus my friend?” If Jesus is your friend, the next question is: “How often do I open my doors to receive him?”
- A lawyer asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?” To answer this question, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, illustrating that our neighbours (friends) are not always those close to us. Too often, we meet Jesus on the way and pass him by. Again and again, Jesus has come to knock on our doors, but we slam the door against him.
- The next question is, “What was the purpose of Jesus’ visit?” Jesus knew he had only three years to complete his mission of saving the world. He wouldn’t waste any minute of this ridiculously short time. Martha assumed that Jesus came to eat, so she was distracted with serving in the kitchen.
- For Jesus, Mary chose the good portion because she understood that Jesus came to “serve rather than to be served” (Matthew 20:28). Mary knew that Jesus came to give himself as food to the world. So, rather than feeding him, she sat at his feet to eat the gracious words that proceeded from Jesus’s mouth.
- Recall that during His temptations, Jesus declared: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4). When was the last time you sat down like Mary at Jesus’ feet (The Word of God) to listen to Him? Do you consider it a waste of time to read the Bible?
- Martha must have looked at Jesus talking with Mary several times, hoping that Jesus would tell her, “Go and help your sister.” When she could no longer take it, Martha spoke up: “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40). How often do we pass pre-mature judgment on others without understanding the full story?
- By the way, what stopped Martha from whispering to Mary (to excuse her politely) if she needed her help in the kitchen? Martha announced it because she wanted Jesus to see her as hardworking and Mary as lazy. Do you recall the story of the two men who went to the temple to pray? “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” Jesus said: “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:11-14).
- Jesus said: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but only one thing is needed.” Even today, we worry about many things, such as children’s school fees, prices of basic commodities, insecurity in our country and so on. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ The Gentiles seek all these things; your heavenly Father knows you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33).
- That “one thing” needed is to seek God’s kingdom first. While you search for your daily bread, live righteously; pursue integrity, justice, purity, and love your neighbour as yourself. Make sure you avoid sin and entrust your difficulties to God. Don’t stay up all night worrying. Do that which is within your power and leave the rest to God. God can change your story within the twinkle of an eye. He can turn things around like He did for Job. Do not allow your present difficulties to push you to the point of cursing God.
- Martha thought she was doing the right thing by worrying about food and not paying attention to Jesus. Sometimes, we (ministers of God) assume we are doing the right thing when busy with many church projects but ignore our daily personal prayer. You cannot be busier than the one who gave you the job. The best gift you can give yourself is to spend time before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament daily. Trust in God’s providence. He knows how to make a way where there seems to be no way.
- Are you worried about your enemies? Consider today’s first reading: Paul confesses that he was determined to wipe out Christianity, even at its infant stage, but God (who knew him before he was born) arrested him. From being Christianity’s fiercest persecutor, Paul became its greatest promoter. Child of God, fear not. Those threatening you with fire and brimstone today will soon kneel before you to seek your blessing. The battle belongs to God.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, free us from our fears. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of week 27 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Galatians 1:13-24, Ps. 139:1-3,13-15, Luke 10:38-42).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu