Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Sixteenth Sunday of Year, C – July 21, 2019.

Readings: Gen. 18:1-10a; Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:2-3.3-4.5(1a); 

Col. 1:24-28; Gospel Luke 10:38-42.

Theme: Being Both Martha & Mary 

Introduction

Friends in the Lord, our liturgy presents us with Martha and Mary as metaphors for both Active and Contemplative Spirituality. What this means is that the Church is adorned with priests and religious who belong to the Apostolic Life following the example of Martha. They are called to serve the Lord in secular space by being actively involved in various apostolates like parish, school, hospital, orphanage et al for the sake of spreading God’s kingdom.

By the same token, those who emulate Mary are the contemplative consecrated men and women who belong to the Consecrated Life. Often times, as hermits, they live a simple community life of sharing and caring for one another as well as constantly observing the liturgy of the hours for the sins of the world. 

With this background, we shall pay attention to details through a summary of the sacred-texts. Appropriately, we shall draw some practical lessons while stating the memorable homiletic quotes. 

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Gen. 18:1-10a) recounts how the Lord appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre while he was sitting by the entrance of the tent during the heat of the day. We are told that as soon as Abraham saw three men standing near him, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them. We are told that he did this by bowing down to the ground after which he offered them water, shelter and food. After the visitors ate the loaves, curds, milk and calf, Abraham remained standing. Then, one of guests promised that they would come back next year while assuring that his wife would then be pregnant with a son. Meanwhile, Sarah was at the entrance of the tent, behind him, listening to the good news.     

In the second reading (Col. 1:24-28), St. Paul emphasizes that he accepts suffering for the sake of the gospel while disclosing that he was given the responsibility of completing God’s message which was a mystery that was hidden for ages but is now revealed to his holy people. He adds that it was God’s purpose to reveal this mystery to the gentiles while explaining that their proclamation, admonition and instruction are geared towards making everyone perfect in Christ Jesus.    

The Gospel reading (Luke 10:38-42) tells the story of Martha and Mary. It states how Jesus came visiting and Martha was busing serving him but Mary sat at his feet, listening to him. When Martha complained to Jesus that Mary had left her doing all the work by herself, he answered: “Martha, Martha, 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.”

Practical Lessons

1. God Ministers to Us Amidst the Heat of Life: That the first reading notes that the Lord appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre while he was sitting by the entrance of the tent during the hottest part of the day demonstrates how God ministers to us daily when all hope seems lost; when crisis seems to overwhelm us; when we are bereaved; when we are unemployed or financially down and when the whole world seems to be against us. It is at those times that God’s finger appears to intervene in human affairs. 

2. There is No Procrastination in Divine Affairs:  We are told that when Abraham saw three men standing near him, he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them. This tells us that there is no delay in dealing with God. Even though it is not clear whether Abraham knew they were divine messengers, however, his prompt and dutiful action challenges us to always be on time for God and those affairs which lead to his glory.

3. Courtesy is at the Heart of True Religion: By greeting the three men, Abraham, our father in faith teaches us to be courteous and develop kind-heartedness towards everyone we meet, as this is the criteria for true religion and eventual admittance into heaven.

4. Humility Attracts Heavenly Reward: The reading continues by revealing that Abraham greeted them by bowing down to the ground. This demonstrates humility and simplicity of heart. In like manner, we are called to give God his due through offering humble-service to him in our daily human endeavours. 

5. Water, Shelter and Food Could be Destiny-Changers: In a world where refugee crises has dislocated refugees from their countries as well as Internally Displaced Persons from their ancestral homes, the action of Abraham who supplied the visitors with water, shelter and food challenges us not to allow anyone lack these basic human needs no matter their sex, colour, religion or political persuasion.

Most importantly, the story suggests that water, shelter and food could be destiny-changers, because it was after he fulfilled this promise that the visitors blessed him and Sarah. In like manner, governments, policy makers, captains of industries, international and local NGOs are challenged to change the destiny of refugees and IDPs by making concrete preparations for their complete rehabilitation and full integration into society.    

6. Charity Demands Sacrifice: The story indicates that Abraham and Sarah offered the visitors loaves, curds, milk and calf. This shows that charity demands sacrifice; they were not stingy but offered their guests a variety of meals for their eating pleasure. We too are challenged to be charitable with our food because by doing so, we might entertain angles like Abraham. 

7. Respect and Obedience is at the Heart of True Worship: The story relates that after Abraham had laid the meal before the guests and they ate, he remained standing. This act of respect and obedience charges us to always patiently wait on the Lord by standing in his presence until he grants our deepest heart desires. 

8. Synergy is Required for Divine Intervention: It is obvious that Abraham, Sarah and the servant cooperated to entertain their guests. One crucial moment was when the guests were pronouncing the promise of a child: We are told that “Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent behind him.” This confirms the saying, “behind every successful man is a woman.” For instance in a society where most people prefer to selfish and would not like relations, friends, neighbours or visitors to be helped, the story of Sarah urges us to have a paradigm shift from a selfish way of life to embracing magnanimous action. This is because, positive synergy especially between husband and wife, attracts divine visitation and intervention. 

9. Perfection in Christ is Supreme: The message of St. Paul to the Colossians urges us to seek perfection in Christ. This connects with the message of the gospel that whether we belong to the Apostolic or Contemplative Life, God calls us to perfection. Archbishop Gabriel Ganaka of Blessed memory use to say, “Do not work for the Lord without having time for the Lord of the work.” Boetus the Philosopher sums this up when he opines: “Virtue lies in the middle.”

Homiletic Quotes to Remember

1. One of guests promised that they would come back next year while assuring that his wife would then be pregnant with a son.
2. Proclamation, admonition and instruction are geared towards making everyone perfect in Christ Jesus.   
3. Jesus came visiting and Martha was busing serving him but Mary sat at his feet listening to him.
4. “Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed. Indeed only one…”
5. “…It is Mary who has chosen the better part, and it is not to be taken from her.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, like Martha, many of us worry and fret about so many things: Poverty, insecurity, sickness, unemployment, failure, bankruptcy and the like. In the midst of all these, Jesus tells us: “Yet few [things] are needed. Indeed only one.” He urges us to emulate Mary who chose the better part. If we pay more attention to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and practice contemplative spirituality by being perpetually at the feet of Jesus, the graces of God would never be taken away from us. We are challenged to copy Abraham and Sarah who combined entertaining their guests actively with contemplative listening. You can be both Martha and Mary at different times – helping out in charity and contemplating the mysteries of God in prayer. Have a blessed week.