- 1st Reading – Genesis 18:1-10a
- 2nd Reading – Colossians 1:24-28
- Gospel – Luke 10:38-42
Sometimes, as Christians, we have to make a choice between two things which, at first, appear to be good options. But if we look to Christ, we’ll see clearly which one is the best option.
There is a passage from the 2nd Chapter of the letter from St. James that many Christians really take to heart:
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it” So also faith of itself without works is dead.”
The Catholic Church, especially, operates by that passage.
But then St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians says: “…. A person is not justified by works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. We have believed in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
So what does that tell us? There’s a great division between many Christian denominations concerning this. I’m sure there are many of us here who have been asked at some time “Have you been saved?” John, chapter 3 verse 16 is probably the most quoted scripture passage of the entire Bible. But as Catholics we know that neither faith nor works can stand on their own without the other. Each is necessary for our salvation. But, Jesus himself teaches us in today’s’ Gospel that there is a priority to be set between the two. The story in today’s Gospel gives us an example of one of those occasions when we have to make a choice between a good, and a better option.
St. Luke tells us of Martha and Mary, two sisters who are happy to see the Lord and want to please Jesus. The difference is in the manner in which they go about it. When Jesus arrived at Martha’s home, she, like any good hostess, went about serving her guests; making sure they were fed and feeling comfortable, while Mary wanted to sit and listen to the Lord. For Martha, serving the Lord or “works” came first. Mary takes the way of faith; wanting to listen to the Lord, being with him and making a relationship.
Jesus tells Martha, “Mary has chosen the better part.” By saying “Martha, Martha” Jesus was showing sympathy and care for her and for what she was doing. He appreciated her efforts. But his words show that he wasn’t anxious to be waited on. He would rather teach those who were willing to listen him. “There is need of only one thing, and Mary has chosen the better part.” What was the point in Jesus coming to visit them if they were to be too busy serving him that they didn’t have time to enjoy his company; to get to know him better; and to listen to his words?
In today’s society we have the same dilemma. So many people are too busy with their jobs, chores, and all the mundane things that take up our time, that we don’t have time to enjoy the things that we are working so hard for. Many people don’t spend enough time with their own families, let alone with God. Helping others, taking care of the material needs of family and guests is indeed important, but when it comes to precedence, Jesus puts “The words of life” ahead of everything else. We must not loose the opportunity to listen to his words. After that we can get back to the other business needs of life. Mary had chosen the better part because she was eager to hear God’s word. She showed an intense desire to know more about God and his will.
How often in our lives do we put other things ahead of listening to God? Do we take the time to slow down and put God first? We need time off for own good. We need a break from the hustle and bustle of the world to spend time with God. How much time do we spend each day, or even each week in prayer, or reading the word of God? If we are too busy, we can miss out on the true meaning and joy of life and miss out on a spiritual life and friendship with God.
St. Mark tells us in his Gospel that when Jesus called the Apostles to follow him, he called them for a dual purpose: “To be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message.” There is a need, on one hand, to be with the Lord, to know him, to fellowship with him and be nourished by his word; and on the other hand, to do the Lord’s work, and to serve the Lord in others. But to proclaim his message of love in word and deed often brings us to conflict. Which one comes first and how much time do we devote to being with the Lord in prayer and listening to God’s Word; and how much time to doing the work of the Lord? In spite of the urgent need in all the areas of work that need to be done for God, it’s only logical to say that our relationship with the Lord should come first.
The point of the story of Jesus with Martha and Mary is not to invite us to choose between being like either one of them. The true disciple needs to be like both Mary and Martha. The story is to challenge us to look at our priorities so that we come to see that fellowship with the Lord and being with the Lord, listening to his word should always precede the work we do for the Lord.
For us, works and faith must go hand in hand; and as is with many things in life, balance is the key. Today let us envision ourselves as those two sisters, Martha and Mary, and ask the Lord to allow us the grace to fill each of their roles in the right proportions, balancing our need to help others while also finding time to sit at the lord’s feet. May it be said of us one day that we too have “Chosen the better part.”