Reflections on the Sunday Readings

In ancient times the understanding of reality and the forces that can change the world of mankind varied from one culture to another.  In ancient Greece for example the people tell the story of Pandora.  Pandora is a beautiful woman whom the God’s of Greece hold in high esteem.  One day Zeus, the chief of the Gods, was going on a trip and stopped by Pandora’s house.  He gives her a beautiful box to hold for him and that he will pick up on his return trip.  He instructs her to never to open the box, or else dreadful things will happen.  She puts the box on a mantle and goes about her business. Every day she sees it but tries to pay no attention to it.  But, one day she cannot resist opening the box.  When she does all sorts of evils and temptations, like greed, avarice, cheating, making of wars, robbery and murder fly out of the box and out of her home.  She fights mightily to close the lid of the box and finally succeeds.  Frightene...

                                                                       In our gospel this weekend we encounter the famous account between Martha and Jesus when Jesus stops by Lazurus’ home for a visit.   In this gospel scene we have Jesus   and his apostles stopping by on their way to Jerusalem.   Mary, Martha’s sister, is so delighted that Jesus   has dropped by that she decides to sit at Jesus feet to listen to his message that he is giving to his disciples.   Martha, the seeming mistress of the household which includes Mary,   and Martha’s brother Lazarus, has accepted the responsibility of preparing a meal for this rather large gathering.   She wishes to show how responsible and successful she can be in this matter.   However, having decided such, she needs help in p...