Readings: Gen. 18:1-10A; Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5; Colossians 1:24-28; Gospel Luke 10:38-42.
Theme: Learning from the School of Martha and Mary
Friends in Christ, that our gospel reading (Luke 10:38-42) for this Sunday is coming after the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is no mistake. Last Sunday, the Priest and the Levite shunned the man who fell into the hands of brigands because they wanted to demonstrate “the love of God” but they ended up neglecting “the love of neighbour.”
On this Sunday, Jesus’ encounter with Martha and Mary during a remarkable visit bridges the gap between the love of God and the love of neighbour. To be sure, Martha was busy with her culinary services trying to demonstrate “the love of neighbour” that she overlooked “the love of God” while Mary’s focus was on “the love of God” which made her pay less attention to “the love of neighbour.” The point that Jesus wants us to take home is that both “the love of neighbour” and “the love of God” are important aspects of christian discipleship.
This brings us to the dual aspects of discipleship that these women of faith have left the Church with. While the hustling and bustling of Martha typifies the active life, Mary's listening ability stands for the contemplative life. The two vocations in the Church namely, priesthood or religious life and Christian marriage affords all an opportunity to blend the active life and the contemplative life.
As children, youths or adults, laity Catholics can play their part by sharing the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ to the best of their ability in the Church and the world. This they can do by contributing to the sanctification of the world from within like a leaven, making the Church present in those places and circumstances where it is only through them that she can become the salt of the earth and by spreading the kingdom of truth, life, holiness, grace, justice, love and peace through impregnating culture and human works with moral value (Cf. Vatican II - Lumen Gentium, Nos. 31,33,34 & 36).
Martha and Mary teach us that “bread” and “beads” are important. While it is necessary to work for our daily bread, it is equally important to pray the beads. Work without prayer is sterile while prayer without work may prove unproductive. As a domestic Church, our homes ought to be citadels of the active and contemplative apostolates where going to work, cleaning, preparing meals and other daily chores are blended with prayer, scripture reading and participation in parish life.
For secular priests, the life of obedience, chastity (celibacy) and poverty by way of simplicity of life is a reminder that prayer must not be buried in work. Archbishop Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka of Blessed Memory use to say, “Do not work for Lord and forget the Lord of the work.” It is significant for secular priests to avoid unnecessary distractions as well as excuses and focus on the ministry and all it entails.
Once again, our liturgy reminds us about those who belong to Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life in Catholic thought. Those who belong to Institutes of Consecrated Life (religious institute or secular) are once again called to rededicate themselves to the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience which they profess as provided for in Canons (573-730).
Also, religious who take to the other forms of Religious Institutes ought to revamp their values of public profession of vows, life in common and separation from the world. In the same light, members of Secular Institutes must be conscious of their consecration so as live and work in the world for the sanctification of the world from within.
This sunday also affords groups of men or women who belong to the Society of Apostolic Life, also referred to as Society of Common Life in the 1917 Code of Canon Law the opportunity to always pursue a single purpose of holiness even though they do not take religious vows.
Perhaps we need to reinforce the theology of collaborative ministry. Efforts at paving a way for shared-collaboration or shared-ministry are crucial – it must be said that everyone must not be a priest to live the Christian life. The life and times of Mother Theresa of Calcuta who is due for sainthood in September reveals that everyone can break record as far as the call to service is concerned. The second reading (Colossians 1:24-28) drives home the point - God’s stewardship is for everyone.
As such, all Christians have something to learn from Martha and Mary who were such a nice host to Jesus. Just like Abraham entertained God in the first reading (Gen. 18:1-10A), they not only welcomed the Lord into their home but served him. This is a clarion call to Christians to be hospital.
Abraham was promised the blessing of a child instantly because of his generosity. His wife Sarah who cooperated with her husband in preparing a meal for God even when he did not ask for it, was promised that she would conceive the following year. How many wives cooperative with their husbands to entertain guests in their houses? Sadly, some are the reason why people don’t visit their homes.
In like manner, people have entertained angles without knowing it. The Jubilee Year of Mercy is an avenue for such charitable acts. Parishes ought to take the ministry of hospitality seriously. The Church must be seen to minister to the needs of lapsed Catholics, the sick, the aged and vulnerable in society. Perhaps we to be reminded that at the end of time, we will be judged on the law of charity.
The seeming embarrassment Mary got from Martha was in fact a blessing. This is because it served as an opportunity for the Lord to clarify that both the active and contemplative life are important in Christian spirituality.
We may frown at Martha for inviting a guest to settle a family squabble but to all intent and purpose, her action was a bold one. Jesus was a family-friend and so there was no need playing the ostrich when the Lord is around. How do we settle family disputes? Don’t Christians take each other to court or invite the police during family squabbles? How often do we turn to the priest, the Church or God in prayer when we have family disputes?
Once more, we ought to revamp the ministry of hospitality and service in the Church and build a more hospitable and welcoming Church.
We are challenged to be pupils at the school of Martha and Mary to learn something of the active and contemplative life of the Church which they stand for. Their action or inaction constitutes an open invitation to all to put themselves at the service of the Lord.
Our liturgy also speaks to the heart of women discipleship and the indefectible role they play in the work of evangelization. Jesus upturns the tradition that reserved sitting before a rabbi as a student for men by bringing a new teaching which insists that discipleship has nothing to do with gender.
Have a great week ahead!
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