MARTHA AND MARY: TWO SISTERS AND FRIENDS OF JESUS.
MARTHA AND MARY. HOLY AND DIFFERENT.
Mary has chosen the better part.
THE GOODNEWS:
"Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
"She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
"Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”
"The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
"There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10: 38 - 42).
SUNDAY 20th July 2025 in 16th Week in Ordinary Time.
The story of two sisters Martha and Mary teaches us great lessons of faith, hope and love.
Martha and Mary are sisters and live in the same house. Their differences in outlook gives Jesus a teaching opportunity to address a problem that is endemic in our society today. Our lives are distracted by too many gadgets, information overload, mindless multitasking and many other things.
Jesus says to Martha and us:
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
What is the better part that Mary has chosen? Mary chose to honor their Guest. Mary chose the will of God for her at this moment.
When you choose the will of God for you here and now instead of your own will, you have chosen the better part. The will of God is always the better part. In God's will is our peace. Our Shalom!
How do we know the will of God? It is not complicated at all. The easiest way is to ask God. "Lord what will You have me do?" God is our Father who wants the very best for His children. He can never deceive us. He promises us to ask and we shall receive.
God speaks to us in Sacred Scripture. Scripture is the very word of God. As you sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary each day to listen to Scripture, little by little you begin to know "the better part" for you in everything. This is what Scripture calls wisdom. Wisdom is the gift of choosing what God wants you to choose in every given situation.
Think of today's great Gospel message from another perspective.
Martha appears addicted to work. Mary is laid back and seems to relish the Sacrament of the Present Moment.
How do we get addicted to activity? What is the cause? How did it start?
Fear of man? Desire to please?
Desire to win at all cost?
Love of money?
Love of pleasure?
Jesus said to Martha:
"You are worried and distracted by many things."
In short, you are an activity addict.
What is the remedy for this hyper addiction?
"Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46: 11).
Enjoy the Sacrament of the Present Moment.
What can we do every day to help us to heal from this condition?
1. Daily Prayer.
2. Daily word of God.
3. Frequent Eucharist and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
4. Affirm constantly that God is in control.
Since you know this, do it and you will be blessed.
We honor the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.
"Almighty and eternal God, you have appointed your only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by his Blood. Grant we beg of you, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation, and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life, so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen."
For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:
No comments:
Post a Comment
23-Psalm1to2