Sixteenth Sunday - 2022

CONTEMPLATION LEADS TO SERVICE

Once again we visit this tender story of Jesus with Martha and Mary. We know from John’s gospel that Jesus "loved" Martha, Mary, and Lazarus – here, Luke recounts a particular event in their relationship. To better understand the dynamics of this scene it helps to have some understanding of the importance of hospitality in the Jewish culture of this time. Hospitality to travelers was a religious obligation – it was God’s way of caring for those who must travel. Hospitality would include lodging, food, water for man and animals and to be given in as spirit of welcome and genuine kindness. Luke does not tell us exactly who of Jesus’ disciple may have joined him – but Martha clearly felt the pressure facing her to fulfill all the demands of hospitality. Those of you who have been the hosts for major family gatherings know what it’s like. But remember, Martha could not simply go to the freezer and fridge for what she will need, or call “Skip-the-Dishes.” Preparations of food where new from scratch every day. But here is Mary, siting at Jesus feet; a place only for disciples, a place that was not allowed for women. Martha seeing her sister Mary neglecting her religious obligations of hospitality, sitting among the men where she should not be, and leaving her to do all the preparations complains to Jesus; “do you not care . . . tell her to help me!” The way Jesus repeats Martha’s name no doubt was a tender expression. Here Jesus adds a new equally important dimension to the obligation of hospitality; a new obligation that supersedes all else – that of devoted attention to every word that Jesus speaks. Recall Jesus’ response to the Devil’s temptation in the desert: "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Harvesting from the world’s abundant resources for our daily needs is a real necessity. But to understand who provided them for us, what they are meant for, and how to use them wisely and well must take priority. When people of this world neglect to seek first the Wisdom from God, the negative consequences will surely be evident in a disordered world – a reality quite evident in our world today. Here in the liturgy of the Mass we have a perfect model laid out. We come seeking the Lord our God. We listen attentively to the Wisdom of God revealed to us in the Liturgy of the Word We come to the Lord’s table to have or hearts transformed by entering into communion with the God’s Divine Will. We go forth, to invite others into this Divine hospitality of salvation by our service to them. Dr. Brant Pitre has an excellent video on this gospel passage. >>> LINK <<<