Friday, July 29, 2016
17th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Jer 26:1-9
Gospel: Jn 11:19-27 or Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
There was nothing wrong with the division of labor between Martha and Maria until Martha complained. “Lord,” Martha said, “don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the serving?” Jesus knew she needed sympathy. But instead of consoling her, he said to her, “Martha, Martha, you worry and are troubled about many things, whereas only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Jesus wanted to teach Martha that all kinds of work, for as long as no immorality is involved, are pleasing to God. Martha’s kitchen work was pleasing to Jesus at the start; self-pity rendered it unpleasant. One who sits down and listens to Jesus like Maria, and one who tucks his or her sleeve in the workplace for Jesus like Martha, equally please God, Alleluia!
Jesus also wanted to teach Martha a lesson on teamwork. Her work and the work of her sister Maria complemented to give Jesus the hospitality he deserved. But instead of working in synergy with her sister, Martha worked in isolation. She felt bitter because she worked alone. The sad thing about loners is that there is no one around to draw support from when it is time to lick wounds. Loners cannot even count on God’s sympathy. Martha wooed Jesus’ support. But instead of patting her in the back Jesus told her in plain language that her sister had chosen the better part. These words must have come to Martha like salt poured upon an open wound!
There is a Martha and a Maria in each of us. The Martha in us summarizes our earthly preoccupations while the Maria in us, our spiritual concerns. Because for Jesus Martha’s preoccupation in the kitchen (before she complained) stood at equal footing with Maria’s “better part”, we really just have to balance our earthly pursuits with our spiritual welfare to accord Jesus the welcome he deserves in our lives. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM, MMExM, MAPM, REB. Email: dan.delosangeles@gmail.com.
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