16th ORDINARY SUNDAY C
Gen. 18:1-10; Col 1:24-28; Lk 10:38-42
PRIORITIES OF LIFE…
Each one of us will be having our own priorities in our lives. But to have the right priority in right time is wise thing.The Scripture Readings of today speak of: 1) HOSPITALITY 2) PRESENCE OFGOD THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD, PRAYER AND LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS.
In a parish Bible study they were discussing whom they would make a better wife in view of today’s Gospel passage: then one wants to marry Martha for she serve him delicious food, another Maria for she can make him feel love and affection but the third one both for, Martha before the meal and Maria after the meal!!!!!!!!!!!!
In fact, the Hospitality is given prominent place in both Old and New Testaments.
In the first reading: Abraham showed hospitality to the unknown angels, and God gave him great reward, a child. When Sodom and Gomorra were burnt down, Lot and his family were saved, only due to his hospitality towards strangers! At Emmaus, Risen Christ appeared to two disciples at the table because they invited him for a meal and to stay.Yet, the Gospel passage reveals us that there is something beyond HOSPITALITY to be taken care of and to be prioritized, I.e. BEING WITH JESUS, and LISTENING TO JESUS.
While analyzing the Gospel situation: let us try to look from the human point of view:
When Jesus came, Martha is worried of serving the best food and she is doing well. Mary also should help Martha to prepare soon. But when we go into little deeper, Martha did not look intensely into the face of Jesus. Martha only preoccupied to serve best food for Jesus and so failed to observe him closely. If done, she could have found out the changes in his face. In fact Jesus needs not food and drink at that particular moment but something else. That is concern, love affection, somebody who is close to be near, to spend some time with him.
The reason is: Jesus knows well that that is his last visit to Jerusalem, and he is going to be crucified this time. His heart is suffering with pain. “My heart is ready to break with grief…” in the garden of Gethsemane he said to his disciples. His human nature is suffered greatly of forth coming suffering and death which is clearly visible in the Garden of Gethsemane. “Could none of you stay awake with me one hour?” Therefore he needs somebody to be with him, to talk to him, to listen to him not that they can do something for him but only a moral support, some affirmation of strength as Yahweh in OT use to say “go, I am with you”. Precisely this is the reason that Our Lady was on the way of the Cross to the Mount Calvary, assuring him of her presence in his sufferings. It is in this situation, Mary sat with Jesus. Mary noted the changes and decided to be with him.
In today’s world of globalization and in the fast developmental process the people are very busy and busy day by day. Along with it there were lot of problems and confusions and worries that man is surrounded by and is lost! It is a dire need of the humanity that somebody is there to listen to. Everybody runs on wheels and no time to listen, attend to anybody’s problems or to understand them. But we need to listen to the people’s problems… just listen, and they are relaxed! They know that you can’t solve their problems, yet they need somebody to listen. It is really hard to listen! Yet we need!
Secondly: Mary has chosen the better Part!!!!!!
We are worried of so many things that we tend to forget what is necessary: The most necessary thing in our lives is: TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD, PRAYER, and LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS. We need to give top most priority to them.
Let me have you check few things:
Do you all have a copy of Bible of your own? Do you ever present a Bible to each one of your children? Did you cultivate the habit of reading the Bible daily both personally you and your children? Do you have Family prayer everyday in your home? Do you make sure that all your family members attend Sunday Mass? If you are in line with all these things, good, you are doing well, praise and thank the Lord for you are giving the right and proper place to God. If not remember: YOU ARE MISSING THE BETTER PART!
Hence in conclusion:
Show hospitality to all with no reservations.
Own a copy of Bible for yourself.
Present a copy of a Bible to each of your child.
Cultivate the habit of Reading Bible.
Cultivate the habit of having daily Family prayers.
Attend the liturgical celebrations with whole family.
Understand the life situation of the people and act upon it assuring your presence to them in moral support and love.