Ord. Wk 27th October 9, 2018
Reflection on the WORD
Relationships: In today’s Gospel, Martha showed her warm hospitality to Jesus through the food she prepared for Him. However, Martha failed to see that the quality of their relationship is more deeply shown by listening to Jesus. “Do we listen attentively and sincerely when we relate to people?”
Lk 10:38-42
Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha, who was distracted with all the serving, came to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’
But the Lord answered, ‘Martha, Martha;’' he said, ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part, and it is not to be taken from her.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- As we serve others with love and compassion, our deeds become salvific only if they flow from our love for God. Are the demands of our daily living distracting us from serving God as fully as we ought to?
- When Jesus visited Martha and Mary, He was heading towards His death in Jerusalem. Thus, the intimacy of the last moments of His life with them was particularly important.
- Mary sensed this and listened to Jesus with undivided attention, while Martha lost the intimacy of their relationship through being caught up with the mundane cares of life. How attentive are we to listening to Jesus’ voice within our hearts daily?