Gospel Reflections for July 21 2019
Do you like Martha …or Mary?
Today’s Gospel can start an argument! It describes two opposite ways of living our faith.
Jesus is a guest in the home of two sisters who behave in very different ways. Martha is busy with hospitality chores while Mary is quietly listening to Jesus. Which one is doing the right thing? Is Mary just lazy …or wise? Is Martha more responsible …or too busy?
This issue mirrors a problem in the early Church, and maybe in your life today. What is the right balance between quiet prayer and active social ministry?
Jesus actually does not take sides but transcends both actions with a profound teaching.
Neither action nor prayer are valid unless each is done as a personal calling from God. What makes our behavior right is that it is in response to God’s personal call to you.
Jesus does not chastise Martha for being busy. After all, He often encouraged people to be active. Yet He is concerned that Mary is not happy in her work, and even more concerned with the nature of her request about Mary. Anytime your prayer begins with the words, “Lord, what you need to do is…” Well …you are telling the Lord what to do rather than respond to His call!
Both Mary and Martha are called to be responsible, in that word’s original meaning; to have a response to a calling from God. Both social action and prayer are only appropriate if we are responding to His call for either path, and not just what we think we should do. Discerning that call means making a wise judgment and that should also be confirmed by other wise people in your life.
For those who are active, you cannot see Martha as your friend or Mary as your enemy, and for those who are prayerful, you cannot see Mary as your friend or Martha as your enemy.
It all depends on what God has called you specifically to do at this time in your life that will help build the Kingdom of God.
You can certainly pray for special intentions, such as healing a friend from sickness, or engage in active social ministry, but you should always include in your motivation the words that Our Lord spoke in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion, “…not my will …but yours be done!”
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Image of Jesus, Mary, and Martha is for church or online use only.
Dear Father Dave,
When we have company for dinner, I try to have everything ready before our guests arrive, but there are always last minute details that have to be done such as tossing the salad and serving or slicing the roast, etc. These things take me away from our guests, but only briefly. My husband remains with them when I’m busy in the kitchen, which is good.
In a way, we’re living the example of Mary and Martha. We each have our responsibilities.
I can’t tell you how often I’ve thought of Mary and Martha when this has happened. But (always a but) for the most part, I can hear the conversations. We’ve all heard the well-known phrase, “I heard that!”
So, in Martha’s case that may well have been true. She heard Jesus and her voice was in the meal she had prepared for him.
Perhaps Mary was the better conversationalist.
We are so blessed with different gifts.
How often do we say, “God willing,” when we’re faced with with everyday decisions or challenges? Hopefully always.
God bless you.
Kathleen A.
Thanks you for your thoughtful reflections. I like how you described you and your husband as both sharing in the Martha/Mary roles.
Beautifully expressed Father Dave!!!It is so important in life to have a loving response to our precious God and to others!!! The beauty is to respond either like Mary or like Martha!!! A combination of both Mary and Martha would be a beautiful gift!!!Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee “Not my will but yours!!!! Respond in LOVE!!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
I like your thought on “calling”…Fr. Dave!
Martha had good qualities that we admire. However, Jesus reminded her that “one thing
was needed”…what to be concerned with, where to focus and what should take a front
row seat in our brains…a relationship with Him.
.
Well said!
Thank you, Fr. Dave. I believe I have a propensity to be a combination of “Martha” and “Mary.” As a paralegal for an employment law firm, my job is to interview clients and coordinate and write responses to discovery. I administer to the downtrodden and those who have been profiled, discriminated against and retaliated against on the basis of their race, sex or disability. As a writer, I advocate for them by telling their stories. I foster a strong rapport with them as they relate the intimate details of their lives to me, as well as their fears. It can be challenging, as I may suddenly be called upon to be a shoulder upon which they cry. I switch gears to “Mary” when I am called upon to be a listener when clients relate facts to me and vent their anger. I believe I am called to take on the role of advocate and shepherd to them.
What a great and important job you have! You are both advocate and shepherd for those most in need. Well done!
Fr. Dave,
I really like how you present this gospel to us. That our response
To God is through his calling to us . I pray that my consecration to Mary
And Divine Mercy is my response. Also as you say His will, not mine.
God Bless
Jane
Yes, I know you are doing well!
Ireally miss you and Joe on Relevant Radio! Thank you for your Gospel reflections!
I always enjoyed our year and a half together on Relevant Radio. You can still hear Joe at Joesikorra.com.
I used to feel sorry for Martha.. After all it was obvious there would be no dinner if left up to Mary… then realizing that Jesus was dealing with the condition of her heart. Extreem long suffering and possibly Jealousy can get in the way of being a true servant of the Lord…Makes me think of my attitude and why I do things. I hope and pray for a heart devoted to God alone. I listen to those Lighthouse tapes that are at the church and know I have a long way to go.
By the way. I pray for ur minestry and for your strength in all that you do.
I absolutely love these reflections as it really makes me have more thought on the message given by the Priest. For 5 years I did the reflections on rhe Torah for a Messianic group and it increased my understanding of our Catholic faith . This reflection really has been a real blessing.
You are very welcome! I am glad you like these reflections. More to come!
Thank you, Fr. Dave, for your words of wisdom, clarity and understanding. Yes, my response to God in this interactive world is of most importance to me. Yes, being mindful to God by saying, “Your will be done” gives me a deep attitude of surrender. What has helped me with “Martha vs. Mary” story in this busy world is to be both Martha and Mary. I can be Martha in taking responsibilities and have a prayerful attitude of Mary at the same time. I can have a prayerful heart as Mary while I take responsibility as Martha.
Well said!