Reading 1 Gn 18:1-10a The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, he said: "Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant. Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way." The men replied, "Very well, do as you have said."
Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah, "Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls." He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it. Then Abraham got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before the three men; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.
They asked Abraham, "Where is your wife Sarah?" He replied, "There in the tent." One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son." Responsorial Psalm Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5 R.(1a) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord. One who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue. R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord. Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the LORD. R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord. Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. One who does these things shall never be disturbed. R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord. Reading 2 Col 1:24-28 Brothers and sisters: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
--->Alleluia Cf. Lk 8:15 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 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 of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."
We are now in the heart of summer, at least in the northern hemisphere. This is the period in which schools are closed and the greater part of the holidays are concentrated. Even the pastoral activities in parishes are reduced and I myself have suspended the Audiences for a while. It is therefore a favourable time to give priority to what is effectively most important in life, that is to say, listening to the word of the Lord. We are also reminded of this by this Sunday's Gospel passage with the well known episode of Jesus' visit to the house of Martha and Mary, recounted by St Luke (10: 38-42).
Martha and Mary are two sisters; they also have a brother, Lazarus, but he does not appear on this occasion. Jesus is passing through their village and, the text says, Martha received him at her home (cf. 10: 38). This detail enables us to understand that Martha is the elder of the two, the one in charge of the house. Indeed, when Jesus has been made comfortable, Mary sits at his feet and listens to him while Martha is totally absorbed by her many tasks, certainly due to the special Guest. We seem to see the scene: one sister bustling about busily and the other, as it were, enraptured by the presence of the Teacher and by his words. A little later Martha, who is evidently resentful, can no longer resist and complains, even feeling that she has a right to criticize Jesus: "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me". Martha would even like to teach the Teacher! Jesus on the other hand answers her very calmly: "Martha, Martha", and the repetition of her name expresses his affection, "you are anxious and troubled about many things; only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her" (10: 41-42). Christ's words are quite clear: there is no contempt for active life, nor even less for generous hospitality; rather, a distinct reminder of the fact that the only really necessary thing is something else: listening to the word of the Lord; and the Lord is there at that moment, present in the Person of Jesus! All the rest will pass away and will be taken from us but the word of God is eternal and gives meaning to our daily actions.
Dear friends, as I said, this Gospel passage is more than ever in tune with the vacation period, because it recalls the fact that the human person must indeed work and be involved in domestic and professional occupations, but first and foremost needs God, who is the inner light of Love and Truth. Without love, even the most important activities lose their value and give no joy. Without a profound meaning, all our activities are reduced to sterile and unorganised activism. And who, if not Jesus Christ, gives us Love and Truth? Therefore, brothers and sisters, let us learn to help each other, to collaborate, but first of all to choose together the better part which is and always will be our greatest good.
In this Sunday’s Gospel passage Luke the Evangelist narrates Jesus’ visit to the house of Martha and Mary, Lazarus’ sisters (cf. Lk 10:38-42). They receive him, and Mary sits at his feet to listen to him; she leaves what she was doing in order to be close to Jesus: she does not want to miss any of his words. Everything is to be set aside when he comes to visit us in our lives; his presence and his words come before all else.
The Lord always surprises us: when we truly focus on listening to him, clouds disappear, doubts give way to truth, fears to serenity, and life’s various situations find the right placement. When the Lord comes, he always puts things in order, even us.
In this scene of Mary of Bethany at Jesus’ feet, Saint Luke shows the prayerful attitude of the believer, who is able to be in the Teacher’s presence to listen to him and be in harmony with him. It means pausing a few minutes during the day to gather yourself in silence, to make room for the Lord who ‘is passing’ and to find the courage to stay somewhat ‘on the sidelines’ with him, in order to return later with serenity and strength, to everyday matters. Commending the conduct of Mary, who “has chosen the good portion” (v. 42), Jesus seems to repeat to each of us: “Do not allow yourselves to be overwhelmed by things to do, but first and foremost listen to the Lord’s voice, in order to properly carry out the tasks that life assigns to you”. Then there is the other sister, Martha. Saint Luke says that it is she who receives Jesus (cf. v. 38). Perhaps Martha was the older of the two sisters; we do not know. But surely this woman had the charism of hospitality. Indeed, while Mary listened to Jesus, Martha is completely caught up in many services. That is why Jesus says to her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things” (v. 41). With these words he certainly does not condemn the attitude of service, but rather the stress with which one lives at times. We too share Saint Martha’s worries and, after her example, we recommend ensuring — in our families and in our communities — that one may experience the sense of welcome, of fraternity, so that each one may feel ‘at home’, especially the little ones and the poor when they knock at our door.
Thus, today’s Gospel passage reminds us that the wisdom of the heart lies precisely in knowing how to combine these two elements: contemplation and action. Martha and Mary indicate the path to us. If we want to savour life with joy, we must associate these two approaches: on the one hand, ‘being at the feet’ of Jesus, in order to listen to him as he reveals to us the secret of every thing; on the other, being attentive and ready in hospitality, when he passes and knocks at our door, with the face of a friend who needs a moment of rest and fraternity. This hospitality is needed.
May Mary Most Holy, Mother of the Church, give us the grace to love and serve God and brethren with the hands of Martha and the heart of Mary, so that, in always listening to Christ, we may be artisans of peace and hope. And this is interesting: with these two approaches we will be artisans of peace and hope.
FAUSTI - The Samaritan can now stop on his way to Jerusalem: 'it is a house that welcomes Him. But there are two ways to welcome Him: Martha and Mary. The first is probably a figure of a certain Israel, entirely occupied in doing many things for Him who is called the Lord for three times, she observes the 613 precepts to prepare for the encounter with Him. But she did not realize that He had arrived. Mary, the younger, is Israel, who knows the visit of His Lord. Like Mary of Nazareth, she says: "Here I am" and she welcomes the Word. For this reason she blocks all other services and rejoices in the presence of the Bridegroom, whose joy is that the bride may rejoice. She sits at His feet and listens to His voice. The wedding has come: from a disciple of the law she becomes a disciple of the Lord. The house of Martha - as the house of Mary! - is that house suspended between Jericho and Jerusalem where the Samaritan stops with His weight and rests. Welcomed, it is He Himself who welcomes and teaches the mystery of the Father's acceptance in our brothers . Here He reveals the mystery of the Father and the Son to those who hear Him: He heals them with the balm of His presence, inebriates them with the wine of His Word, so that they may follow Him on His way. This Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, is the same one who performs the anointing of Bethany (Mt 26:6-13). She could be the one who sprays tears and dries with her hair, perfumes and kisses the feet of the One who has walked so long to be near to her. (Jn 7,36...). Now, reconciled, she has a house to welcome Him; She herself, whose eyes are blessed in His Face and whose ears receive His Word. With sovereign freedom she enjoys His Love, without taking into consideration the disappointment of the good Martha, just as she did not care of Simon, Pharisee or leper. And Jesus approves it without reservation. His presence is joy for Mary, and hard work for his sister Marta. The two are not in simple opposition: they are sisters! The opposition is only seen by one who wants to recall the other to her duty. Instead, Jesus will call Martha back to transform herself into Mary! The expectation opens up to its fulfillment and is appeased in it! It is not exact to oppose Martha and Mary as action and contemplation. Luke simply wants to purify action in contemplation. The source of Mary's action is the groom's listening and joy. Her action will spring from contemplation, and she will never abandon it: she will always remain contemplative even in action. In her we see the inversion operated by the Gospel; she can finally love and welcome, because He first loved and welcomed her. The absolute silence of Mary, who does not do and does not say anything, is the perfect "denial" of her own self that struggles to assert itself, with good or evil it matters little, just to be the protagonist. She forgets of herself, she realizes herself in the highest form of life, she is for the Other and from the Other, entirely intent on the One that listens, entirely welcomed into the Other that welcomes. In Mary who sees and listens to the Samaritan, there is the consummation of the beatitude of the disciple: to see and listen to the Lord. The passage reminds us of the foundation of our discipleship. It does not consist of the things we do - even if they are necessary and very important! - but in listening to Jesus. From this listening comes the "doing" that builds the house on the rock. His Word is the first work of Mercy of the Father towards all His children. That is why the disciples say: "It is not right that we neglect the Word of God for the service of the tables" (Acts 6:2). In fact, "not only does man live on bread, but on every Word that comes out of the mouth of God (4,4 = Dt 8,3). This Word is a seed which, received, bears fruit in the bread which gives us the Life of the Son. In this way we share in His Compassion and act like Him, who does what He sees the Father doing (Jn 5:19).
--->---->Martha, a figure of the people under the law, performs many services while awaiting the Groom. Mary, a figure of the Church, is the Bride. She accepts what He does for her, savors the oil and wine of His closeness. She replaces the impossible attempt to please the Lord with the pleasure of being close to Him, because He has drawn near to her. Contemplation and listening at the Lord's feet is the supreme act of man: it begets him as a child of God and associates him with Jesus' mission. Every mission begins at His feet, because it leads to them. Only this woman, unlike the others who will only later become disciples, is already a disciple of Jesus. Martha is occupied, agitated, and dismembered by all the things that must be done, according to the law and propriety. She knows her duty! Her sister is sitting, and she is all busy! When will she understand that true welcome is listening? What God loves is to be pleased with Him, not to try to stifle Him in order to please Him. The contrast between Martha and Mary, schematic and overstated, is there, but it is not definitive. Martha is expressly invited to become like Mary. She, in turn, will assume Martha's service in a new way, because she listens to the Word she speaks. "Go and do likewise." The tension between Law and Gospel is resolved precisely because only the Gospel allows the Law to be fulfilled. Mary and Jesus are seated. Martha, standing, looms large, in a position of superiority and judgment. In each of us there is a Martha, a religious superego, that oppresses Mary. She must convert to Mary, like the older brother, to be a son; she must recognize the younger as a brother. Perhaps there is also a certain constant tension that arises in the community between action and prayer, which must be overcome by placing the beginning and end of the former in the latter. It is more beneficial to have one's feet washed than to strive to be perfectly clean. Martha must understand that she must become Mary. Martha doesn't expect—which is impossible—her sister to help her always, but at least once, this time! It's clear that Martha is interested in the implicit approval of what she does, over her sister's explicit disapproval. "Martha, Martha!" she is called twice, like Moses and Samuel, she is called and called back solemnly. It is a sign of a great calling, that of Israel and the lawyer, called to recognize and read in the Samaritan the fulfillment of what "is written in the law." Jesus doesn't rebuke Martha, he exhorts her to become like Mary. The law of love can be observed only because He first "loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:20). The only thing man needs to live is to be loved unconditionally. Whoever listens to the Samaritan realizes this. She discovers that all creation is God's gift to His creature. Everything is for man, and man is for God, who is everything to Him in all creatures. To convert is to abandon oneself to His Love for us, whom we "see" and "hear" by standing at the feet of Jesus. He reveals to us the Father's tenderness: the only thing necessary. We are made to love God with all our heart. Everything else is for this purpose, and we are restless until we rest in Him. Mary is a Martha converted to the Lord's compassion; she becomes the home that welcomes all in the Samaritan who welcomes all. This home foreshadows what will happen in the end, when all, together welcomed and welcoming, will receive and give love. Then the Samaritan's toil will be over. Only Mary's part will remain, the best part, because she is God himself welcomed into man. Seated at His feet, she already nourishes herself with the Word of Life. The seed germinates and becomes bread for the long journey that still lies ahead. But the sweetness of the Bridegroom's voice already accompanies her. Mary has a foretaste of what God wants to give to all. This is why it will never be taken away from her. Her "good is to be close to God" (Psalm 73:28).
Reading 1
RispondiEliminaGn 18:1-10a
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre,
as he sat in the entrance of his tent,
while the day was growing hot.
Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby.
When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them;
and bowing to the ground, he said:
"Sir, if I may ask you this favor,
please do not go on past your servant.
Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet,
and then rest yourselves under the tree.
Now that you have come this close to your servant,
let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves;
and afterward you may go on your way."
The men replied, "Very well, do as you have said."
Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah,
"Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls."
He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer,
and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.
Then Abraham got some curds and milk,
as well as the steer that had been prepared,
and set these before the three men;
and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.
They asked Abraham, "Where is your wife Sarah?"
He replied, "There in the tent."
One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year,
and Sarah will then have a son."
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5
R.(1a) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
One who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
One who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Reading 2
Col 1:24-28
Brothers and sisters:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his body, which is the church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God's stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
--->Alleluia
RispondiEliminaCf. Lk 8:15
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Lk 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 of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her."
The words of the Popes
RispondiEliminaBENEDICT XVI
ANGELUS Sunday, 18 July 2010
We are now in the heart of summer, at least in the northern hemisphere. This is the period in which schools are closed and the greater part of the holidays are concentrated. Even the pastoral activities in parishes are reduced and I myself have suspended the Audiences for a while. It is therefore a favourable time to give priority to what is effectively most important in life, that is to say, listening to the word of the Lord. We are also reminded of this by this Sunday's Gospel passage with the well known episode of Jesus' visit to the house of Martha and Mary, recounted by St Luke (10: 38-42).
Martha and Mary are two sisters; they also have a brother, Lazarus, but he does not appear on this occasion. Jesus is passing through their village and, the text says, Martha received him at her home (cf. 10: 38). This detail enables us to understand that Martha is the elder of the two, the one in charge of the house. Indeed, when Jesus has been made comfortable, Mary sits at his feet and listens to him while Martha is totally absorbed by her many tasks, certainly due to the special Guest.
We seem to see the scene: one sister bustling about busily and the other, as it were, enraptured by the presence of the Teacher and by his words. A little later Martha, who is evidently resentful, can no longer resist and complains, even feeling that she has a right to criticize Jesus: "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me". Martha would even like to teach the Teacher! Jesus on the other hand answers her very calmly: "Martha, Martha", and the repetition of her name expresses his affection, "you are anxious and troubled about many things; only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her" (10: 41-42). Christ's words are quite clear: there is no contempt for active life, nor even less for generous hospitality; rather, a distinct reminder of the fact that the only really necessary thing is something else: listening to the word of the Lord; and the Lord is there at that moment, present in the Person of Jesus! All the rest will pass away and will be taken from us but the word of God is eternal and gives meaning to our daily actions.
Dear friends, as I said, this Gospel passage is more than ever in tune with the vacation period, because it recalls the fact that the human person must indeed work and be involved in domestic and professional occupations, but first and foremost needs God, who is the inner light of Love and Truth. Without love, even the most important activities lose their value and give no joy. Without a profound meaning, all our activities are reduced to sterile and unorganised activism. And who, if not Jesus Christ, gives us Love and Truth? Therefore, brothers and sisters, let us learn to help each other, to collaborate, but first of all to choose together the better part which is and always will be our greatest good.
--->POPE FRANCIS
RispondiEliminaANGELUS Sunday, 21 July 2019
In this Sunday’s Gospel passage Luke the Evangelist narrates Jesus’ visit to the house of Martha and Mary, Lazarus’ sisters (cf. Lk 10:38-42). They receive him, and Mary sits at his feet to listen to him; she leaves what she was doing in order to be close to Jesus: she does not want to miss any of his words. Everything is to be set aside when he comes to visit us in our lives; his presence and his words come before all else.
The Lord always surprises us: when we truly focus on listening to him, clouds disappear, doubts give way to truth, fears to serenity, and life’s various situations find the right placement. When the Lord comes, he always puts things in order, even us.
In this scene of Mary of Bethany at Jesus’ feet, Saint Luke shows the prayerful attitude of the believer, who is able to be in the Teacher’s presence to listen to him and be in harmony with him. It means pausing a few minutes during the day to gather yourself in silence, to make room for the Lord who ‘is passing’ and to find the courage to stay somewhat ‘on the sidelines’ with him, in order to return later with serenity and strength, to everyday matters. Commending the conduct of Mary, who “has chosen the good portion” (v. 42), Jesus seems to repeat to each of us: “Do not allow yourselves to be overwhelmed by things to do, but first and foremost listen to the Lord’s voice, in order to properly carry out the tasks that life assigns to you”.
Then there is the other sister, Martha. Saint Luke says that it is she who receives Jesus (cf. v. 38). Perhaps Martha was the older of the two sisters; we do not know. But surely this woman had the charism of hospitality. Indeed, while Mary listened to Jesus, Martha is completely caught up in many services. That is why Jesus says to her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things” (v. 41). With these words he certainly does not condemn the attitude of service, but rather the stress with which one lives at times. We too share Saint Martha’s worries and, after her example, we recommend ensuring — in our families and in our communities — that one may experience the sense of welcome, of fraternity, so that each one may feel ‘at home’, especially the little ones and the poor when they knock at our door.
Thus, today’s Gospel passage reminds us that the wisdom of the heart lies precisely in knowing how to combine these two elements: contemplation and action. Martha and Mary indicate the path to us. If we want to savour life with joy, we must associate these two approaches: on the one hand, ‘being at the feet’ of Jesus, in order to listen to him as he reveals to us the secret of every thing; on the other, being attentive and ready in hospitality, when he passes and knocks at our door, with the face of a friend who needs a moment of rest and fraternity. This hospitality is needed.
May Mary Most Holy, Mother of the Church, give us the grace to love and serve God and brethren with the hands of Martha and the heart of Mary, so that, in always listening to Christ, we may be artisans of peace and hope. And this is interesting: with these two approaches we will be artisans of peace and hope.
FAUSTI - The Samaritan can now stop on his way to Jerusalem: 'it is a house that welcomes Him. But there are two ways to welcome Him: Martha and Mary.
RispondiEliminaThe first is probably a figure of a certain Israel, entirely occupied in doing many things for Him who is called the Lord for three times, she observes the 613 precepts to prepare for the encounter with Him.
But she did not realize that He had arrived.
Mary, the younger, is Israel, who knows the visit of His Lord. Like Mary of Nazareth, she says: "Here I am" and she welcomes the Word. For this reason she blocks all other services and rejoices in the presence of the Bridegroom, whose joy is that the bride may rejoice.
She sits at His feet and listens to His voice. The wedding has come: from a disciple of the law she becomes a disciple of the Lord.
The house of Martha - as the house of Mary! - is that house suspended between Jericho and Jerusalem where the Samaritan stops with His weight and rests.
Welcomed, it is He Himself who welcomes and teaches the mystery of the Father's acceptance in our brothers .
Here He reveals the mystery of the Father and the Son to those who hear Him: He heals them with the balm of His presence, inebriates them with the wine of His Word, so that they may follow Him on His way.
This Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, is the same one who performs the anointing of Bethany (Mt 26:6-13). She could be the one who sprays tears and dries with her hair, perfumes and kisses the feet of the One who has walked so long to be near to her. (Jn 7,36...).
Now, reconciled, she has a house to welcome Him; She herself, whose eyes are blessed in His Face and whose ears receive His Word. With sovereign freedom she enjoys His Love, without taking into consideration the disappointment of the good Martha, just as she did not care of Simon, Pharisee or leper.
And Jesus approves it without reservation.
His presence is joy for Mary, and hard work for his sister Marta.
The two are not in simple opposition: they are sisters!
The opposition is only seen by one who wants to recall the other to her duty.
Instead, Jesus will call Martha back to transform herself into Mary!
The expectation opens up to its fulfillment and is appeased in it!
It is not exact to oppose Martha and Mary as action and contemplation.
Luke simply wants to purify action in contemplation.
The source of Mary's action is the groom's listening and joy.
Her action will spring from contemplation, and she will never abandon it: she will always remain contemplative even in action. In her we see the inversion operated by the Gospel; she can finally love and welcome, because He first loved and welcomed her.
The absolute silence of Mary, who does not do and does not say anything, is the perfect "denial" of her own self that struggles to assert itself, with good or evil it matters little, just to be the protagonist.
She forgets of herself, she realizes herself in the highest form of life, she is for the Other and from the Other, entirely intent on the One that listens, entirely welcomed into the Other that welcomes.
In Mary who sees and listens to the Samaritan, there is the consummation of the beatitude of the disciple: to see and listen to the Lord. The passage reminds us of the foundation of our discipleship. It does not consist of the things we do - even if they are necessary and very important! - but in listening to Jesus.
From this listening comes the "doing" that builds the house on the rock.
His Word is the first work of Mercy of the Father towards all His children. That is why the disciples say: "It is not right that we neglect the Word of God for the service of the tables" (Acts 6:2). In fact, "not only does man live on bread, but on every Word that comes out of the mouth of God (4,4 = Dt 8,3).
This Word is a seed which, received, bears fruit in the bread which gives us the Life of the Son. In this way we share in His Compassion and act like Him, who does what He sees the Father doing (Jn 5:19).
--->---->Martha, a figure of the people under the law, performs many services while awaiting the Groom.
EliminaMary, a figure of the Church, is the Bride. She accepts what He does for her, savors the oil and wine of His closeness.
She replaces the impossible attempt to please the Lord with the pleasure of being close to Him, because He has drawn near to her.
Contemplation and listening at the Lord's feet is the supreme act of man: it begets him as a child of God and associates him with Jesus' mission.
Every mission begins at His feet, because it leads to them.
Only this woman, unlike the others who will only later become disciples, is already a disciple of Jesus.
Martha is occupied, agitated, and dismembered by all the things that must be done, according to the law and propriety.
She knows her duty! Her sister is sitting, and she is all busy!
When will she understand that true welcome is listening?
What God loves is to be pleased with Him, not to try to stifle Him in order to please Him.
The contrast between Martha and Mary, schematic and overstated, is there, but it is not definitive.
Martha is expressly invited to become like Mary.
She, in turn, will assume Martha's service in a new way, because she listens to the Word she speaks. "Go and do likewise." The tension between Law and Gospel is resolved precisely because only the Gospel allows the Law to be fulfilled.
Mary and Jesus are seated.
Martha, standing, looms large, in a position of superiority and judgment.
In each of us there is a Martha, a religious superego, that oppresses Mary.
She must convert to Mary, like the older brother, to be a son; she must recognize the younger as a brother. Perhaps there is also a certain constant tension that arises in the community between action and prayer, which must be overcome by placing the beginning and end of the former in the latter.
It is more beneficial to have one's feet washed than to strive to be perfectly clean.
Martha must understand that she must become Mary.
Martha doesn't expect—which is impossible—her sister to help her always, but at least once, this time! It's clear that Martha is interested in the implicit approval of what she does, over her sister's explicit disapproval.
"Martha, Martha!" she is called twice, like Moses and Samuel, she is called and called back solemnly. It is a sign of a great calling, that of Israel and the lawyer, called to recognize and read in the Samaritan the fulfillment of what "is written in the law." Jesus doesn't rebuke Martha, he exhorts her to become like Mary.
The law of love can be observed only because He first "loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:20).
The only thing man needs to live is to be loved unconditionally.
Whoever listens to the Samaritan realizes this.
She discovers that all creation is God's gift to His creature. Everything is for man, and man is for God, who is everything to Him in all creatures. To convert is to abandon oneself to His Love for us, whom we "see" and "hear" by standing at the feet of Jesus.
He reveals to us the Father's tenderness: the only thing necessary.
We are made to love God with all our heart. Everything else is for this purpose, and we are restless until we rest in Him.
Mary is a Martha converted to the Lord's compassion; she becomes the home that welcomes all in the Samaritan who welcomes all.
This home foreshadows what will happen in the end, when all, together welcomed and welcoming, will receive and give love. Then the Samaritan's toil will be over.
Only Mary's part will remain, the best part, because she is God himself welcomed into man.
Seated at His feet, she already nourishes herself with the Word of Life.
The seed germinates and becomes bread for the long journey that still lies ahead. But the sweetness of the Bridegroom's voice already accompanies her.
Mary has a foretaste of what God wants to give to all.
This is why it will never be taken away from her.
Her "good is to be close to God" (Psalm 73:28).