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.
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.
