7-20-25 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

                                                                    

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 preparing the food, setting up the tables for the guests and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.  She must have assumed Mary would get up and help her in her efforts to be a successful and welcoming hostess.  However, Mary has other ideas, and as upsetting as this is to Martha, she desires to sit at Jesus feet to hear what he wants to share with the disciples.  However, Martha’s anxious concerns about being a successful and dutiful hostess leads her to ask Jesus why he doesn’t tell Mary to get up and help Martha.  But Jesus wishes to teach Martha, and Mary, and the disciples gathered there, and us, that, contemplation and prayer (i.e., focusing or listening to Jesus) and actions, such as attendings to and serving others, is not an “either or” situation but rather a “both and"  choice.  In other words, both being a person of prayer and a person of action are necessary in each disciple’s life.   It is important in our desire to be true disciples of our Lord; to realize we must give time to both listening to Jesus through prayer and contemplation and also, we must give time to being active in the ministries of charity and justice towards all.  Prayer, reflection, and contemplation (i.e., talking with and listening to the Lord) empowers us to minister to others; and active service toward others in matters of charity and justice, empowers them to feel important, not only in themselves, but also important to God. And in this way, we can give hope to others that things can be better for them if they too trust in the Lord.

The author Frederick B. Speakman, in his book “Love is Something You Do” shares the following story.

A waitress was taking orders from a couple. Also at the same table was their young son. The waitress was one of those types of waitresses who never showed outright disrespect to their customers, but who frequently make it quietly evident by their unhurried pace and their level stare that they feared no mortal, not even parents.  She jotted down on her order pad patiently and silently as the father and mother gave their specific luncheon selection and instructions as to what was to be substituted for what, and which dressing were to be changed to what sauce. When she finally turned to the boy, he began his order with a kind of fearful desperation in his voice. “I would like a hot dog-” he started.  And almost immediately both parents barked at once, “No hot dog!” The mother went on. “Bring him the lyonnaise potatoes and the beef, both vegetables, and a hard roll and .... !” The waitress wasn’t even listening though. She said evenly to the youngster, “What do you want on your hotdog?” He flashed an amazed smile, “Ketchup, lots of ketchup, and-and bring a glass of milk, please.” “Coming up,” she said as she turned from the table, leaving behind her the stunned silence of utter parental dismay. The boy watched her go before he turned to his father and mother with astonished elation to say, “YOU KNOW WHAT? She thinks I’m real! She thinks I’m real!”^1.

This story, I believe captures the importance of being, first and foremost a people of confidence, empowered by the presence of God through our relationship with Jesus and as such it is important to listen to what Jesus has to say to us.  To hear his words, we must be people of prayer and contemplation.  Secondly, the story calls us to realize that through the power of this relationship with the Lord we are sent to be a people of charity and justice to everyone we encounter.   Perhaps this week after you have finished your breakfast, and as you begin to head out the door to school or work or to the hospital, or a nursing home, you might ask God to remind you to remember the importance of recognizing the persons around you today, especially those who may need a little more added attention, those who may seem neglected or forgotten by others.  And as you come upon such persons, show them your attention and caring as both Martha and Mary did for Jesus.  Then, they will know, through the generosity and care we show them, that they are special and noticed by God.  That they are real and worthy of notice.

 

“Whoever speaks, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies.  So, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1Peter4 :11)

 

1.      Speakman, Frederic B, Love is Something You Do, Revell Publisher, Jan.1,1959