Word to the Wise
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 - Tuesday in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gal 1:13-24 and Luke 10:38-42]"Martha, Martha, you are anxious 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]
The Gospel According to Luke was composed for Christian missionaries of Luke's time and still serves in that role! The scene at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus has been put to use for comparing "active" and "contemplative" forms of religious life, but that was (and is) not its real purpose. It follows on the parable of the Good Samaritan which highlights the importance of mercy without prejudice. The story today highlights two features of missionary life: hospitality and teaching.
With regard to hospitality, Luke portrays the ideal welcome for a disciple. It contrasts with the grudging welcome of Simon the Pharisee in the story of the penitent woman [7:36-50]. But Martha gets too caught up in those duties to pay attention to what Mary is doing. She is "hearing the word" before acting on it. Matha's anxiety about "earthly things" becomes an obstacle to listening to "heavenly things."
In the rather pragmatic, individualistic and consumer-oriented culture of the USA, the demands of daily life, which themselves are a creation of that culture, can divert attention from the real source of motivation for Christian discipleship: faith in Christ and his word. Martha and Mary could be seen as two forces working in every disciple - the struggle of priorities. A true disciple must listen to the Word of God and be merciful in acting on it. AMEN