Taking the better part ~ A Reflection on the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gen 18:1-10a

Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5 (1a)

Col 1:24-28

Lk 10:38-42

Jesus felt at home in the home of Martha and Mary.  Martha was proud of her home and wanted everything to be perfect for her visitors, so she did as every homemaker does: she worked hard to clean her home and prepare a special meal for Jesus and his friends.  Her chores didn't leave her much time to sit and talk or listen to her guests.  And she expected her sister to help her.  Was that so unreasonable?  After all, there was a lot to do.

Hospitality was important in the time of Jesus.  But as we know, Mary chose a different way to be hospitable.  She concentrated completely on her guest.  She sat at the feet of Jesus and listened.  She gave him all her attention. And in the end, Mary's hospitality was more pleasing to Jesus.  She had chosen the better part.

As we read in the Book of Genesis, we see that Abraham also went to a great deal of trouble to be hospitable to the three strangers he discovered near his home.  He went to them and coaxed them to come to his home.  He wanted them to stay and eat with him.  He gave them water to drink and instructed his wife, Sarah, to prepare the meat and bake some bread as their welcome offering to these strangers.  Abraham concentrated on their needs and sat with them during their visit.  They appeared to be special people; and indeed they were, for they had been sent by God to announce that in a year's time, Sarah would give birth to a son.

Martha and Mary each played an important role in this story.  Someone had to be available to prepare and clean and do all the other household chores when guests arrived.  Martha's mistake was to believe that hers was the more important role.  She forgot to take time to listen and be with her guests... In her worry and concern that everything be just perfect, she missed out on the privileged conversation and insights that Jesus offered his listeners.

What kind of hospitality do we offer to others?  How often do we really listen to what other people are saying?  How do we meet their needs?  It's not all about us! 




~ Image Source: "At the home of Martha and Mary" by Ain Vares