Word to the Wise
Sunday, July 20, 2025 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - C
[Gen 18:1-10a; Col 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42]Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need only of one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." [Luke]
Many years ago I was invited to give a "Day of Recollection" for the Catholic clergy in a small city shortly after Holy Week. One of the principal complaints that I heard from them was that the requirements of celebration involved in the ceremonies of that week made it difficult for them to enjoy the spiritual meaning of that time. The "Martha" role made it difficult for them to assume the "Mary" role!!! This predicament is not just a clerical one. I've heard similar complaints from householders, especially women, during major holiday seasons. I cannot help but feel sorry for Martha who became a "victim" of the very important value of hospitality and is often made a "villain" in this story., not by Jesus, but by well-meaning promoters of a more passive form of spirituality!
Jesus' reply to Martha seems an affectionate one. There is friendship here as well as preaching. The priority of the gospel is not at issue, but the way of expressing it may be an issue. For clergy and religious, there are rules requiring an annual "retreat," to assume Mary's posture! How often is this possible for anyone in the frenetic pace of life in the USA? The thousand-and-one concerns one brings with one to a retreat can make that "quiet" time a real challenge.
Realizing that occasional quiet times at the Lord's feet can make the active times more fruitful might be a way through the predicament. One of the tasks of good spiritual direction is to help directees discover how that is possible. Jesus offers that possibility to Martha. We don't know how Martha responded, but we can ask ourselves how WE can respond to that invitation. AMEN
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