Gospel
Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.
Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘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; it is not to be taken from her.’
(Luke 10:38–42)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
- Mary’s attitude in this text is one of discipleship. To sit at the feet of the Master is to be a follower or disciple. In Jesus’ time, such an attitude was often reserved for men.
- Mary and Martha, the sisters of this text, are also mentioned in the Gospel of John. Although Luke does not name the village in which they live, John notes that they live in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem, with their brother, Lazarus.
Exploring the Word
After our first reading of this text, many of us would sympathise with Martha, who is left to do all the work. However, a more careful reading of the text uncovers the real problem. Martha is ready ‘to welcome Jesus into her house’. And yet, she becomes so preoccupied with the fuss of preparing food that she fails to do what she had originally intended: to offer welcome to the person of Jesus. In contrast, Mary is attentive to Jesus’ words and teachings. In this story, who has offered the true welcome? Mary and Martha’s responses are not in opposition; they indicate two ways of acting that should become integrated into our relations with others—that is, we should have attentive friendship as well as generous and practical service. The gospel of the Good Samaritan from last week shows us a model of selfless service. In today’s text, we are presented with the other side of the story: the need to also be attentive and to listen to the word of God so that we are not preoccupied with ultimately unimportant activities and preparations.
- With which of the women in this story do you identify with the most?
- How could you cultivate the other side of yourself?
- Identify circumstances in which both contemplation and action are required.
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
- What causes you to ‘worry and fret’? Is this a distraction from God?
- What happens when you take time to be still and attentive to the voice of God?
- In the busyness of life, it is often difficult to pay genuine attention to others. Spend time in pairs reviewing the week and recalling times when you provided your undivided attention to the important people in your life. Is there something to be learned from this exercise? If you need to, resolve to do better this week!
- Make time this week to ‘sit at the feet of the Master’. This could mean reading the Scriptures or other religious literature, or listening to someone who can teach you something about the life of faith.
- Use today’s prayer after Communion as your prayer this week:
Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord,
and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries
to pass from former ways to newness of life.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen - Alternatively, you could spend some time each day praying without words. Make yourself still and close your eyes. Fix your heart on God, who dwells within you. If you find yourself being distracted, don’t worry and turn your mind back to God.
Sharing the tradition
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
The tradition of the Church honours many people who are known as ‘mystics’ or contemplatives.
- Explain these terms.
Some famous examples include St John of the Cross, Hildegard of Bingen, St Theresa and Padre Pio.
- Explore the lives and writings of some of these people.
The Church also honours many who were people of action, such as St Francis Xavier, St Mary (MacKillop) of the Cross, Frederick Ozenam, Don Bosco and Catherine McAuley.
- Explore the stories of some of these people.
- It should be remembered that people of action find the motivation for their ‘doing’ in a deep spirituality and close relationship with Jesus. How might you integrate both aspects into your own life?
Symbols and images
In this text, Jesus does not rebuke Martha because of her acts of service. Far from it! The real point of his criticism is that she has allowed herself to be distracted by unimportant matters instead of concentrating on what really matters: God!
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
- This week, practice both aspects of welcome. Invite someone home for dinner and be attentive to them and their needs. Each day, make space to simply ‘sit at the feet of the Lord’. What is God saying to you?
- Create a quiet focus for prayer, perhaps with a simple cloth and candle. You could listen to a Taizé chant such as Adoramus te Domine or use Adoramus te Christi (GA 305). Pray quietly for each other. Conclude with the blessing in the RCIA at §97I. Ensure that you continue being attentive to each other while sharing a cup of tea and a bite to eat.