Cycle C 16th Ordinary
1. In scripture we are encouraged to identify ourselves with those people who are featured, on their journey to God. We might identify with their DOUBTS, ILLNESS, the POLITICAL PROBLEMS, their BUSY-NESS, their SINS or maybe even the PROGRESS they make.
-In the old testament, Abraham, Moses, Job, David, Solomon, Ruth, Ester easily come to mind.
-In the New Testament, the Apostles lead by Peter and Andrew, John, Thomas and even Judas is a valid figure.
-Also Mary the Virgin Mother of Jesus, and even her parents Anna and Joachim in their bit part. And her spouse Joseph.
-We can identify with Paul, the persecutor turned dedicated evangelist.
-How about Mary Magdalene, Zacchaeus, or the Pharisees,
– Characters with no names like: The good Samaritan, The Lepers or man born Blind.
Today we have a pair of women that when scrutinized carefully, must
be seen as a prototype of many things for us. For men and women, and even families, to help us identify ourselves as Christian. Martha and Mary (sisters to Lazarus the one Jesus raised) can be seen as models as:
-Women of Discipleship
-Women of Interest to understand the Scriptures
-Women of strength in face of cultural and political Danger
-Women for strong Family and neighborly ties.
We can see all of this in them because they are most importantly WOMEN OF HOSPITALITY.
Today’s gospel asks us all to take a deep look at the BETTER PART of hospitality, as women, men or families, to identify ourselves with where the ‘HEART of Mary was in that Gospel Story. And how it still fits into the WORLD where Martha lives also. We are to separate Mary’s Hospitality from Martha’s, so we to can better find or meet Jesus in the Busy-ness of our everyday lives.
2. In the Middle East desert it was said, ‘no man can live alone’. So that not only did this fact lead to very close family and tribal bonds, but it also made hospitality a necessity. The guests were received with Honor. Their feet were washed. They were wined and dined. And a sacredness surrounded that person. So much so, that that person was immune from personal attack for 3 days or as long as the food he had eaten was in his stomach. Or even for along at that person stayed geographically near, they were again immune from attack.
3. This SACRED HOSPITALITY can be seen in our first reading from the vantage of the stories from the Patriarchs. On encountering the 3 men at the Terebinth of Mamre, Abraham bowed to the ground and “Begged the Privilege” of being allowed to afford them hospitality. Assuring them water to wash and bread to eat and then slaughter a fine calf to feed them.
4. Jesus’ public work is set in this framework of Sacred Hospitality. (For He himself has no place to lay his head”) So one day the ‘Fullness of Truth, the fullness of Life’ accepted the invitation from Martha and Mary to enter their Bethany house. And as he came in the door they both recognized the PRIVELDGE of having Jesus in their home. So they both, in their own way set to work their SACRED DUTY of being Hospitable.
5. The problem was, they had conflicting ideas of what that duty entailed. Martha’s response was very admirable and important:
-Martha Made Jesus COMFORTABLE,
-Martha gave Jesus some WATER
-Martha gave Jesus something to EAT
-Martharella was doing all the BUSY work….”Martha, Martha, you are anxious, worried and distracted about many things. There is need for only one thing.” And Jesus said this to encourage her on.
6. On the other hand, Mary took hospitality to mean something totally different. Mary, the disciple, was going to pay the supreme compliment to the house guest by giving Him her FULL ATTENTION. While at His feet, the reverse happened. Mary the disciple was in turn, given SAXRED HOSPITALITY BY JESUS.
– Jesus washed Mary, Jesus nourished Mary,
– Jesus enlightened Mary, Jesus was transforming Mary.
– Mary got the BETTER portion in discipleship.
7. I read where a monk said the greatest sin of the modern era is not LEWDNESS or CORRUPTION of society, but it’s BUSYNESS. The task for us today is to identify where our busyness distracts us from being discipled by Jesus.
-The fullness of Truth, of life and of graces deserves our attention.
-Jesus cannot be merely a part of ones life, he must be it’s center.
– Therefore, we must find quiet time to be with Jesus in prayer and at communion. Work to free yourself to enjoy the better part. Imitate Mary and find a time and place to ‘SIT AT HIS FEET’.
-His Hospitality is way better than we can give. And the Lord has many things to tell us.
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