Jesus entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, whose name was Mary, sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying.

  

Luke 10:38-42. Monday of the 17th Week of the TC, July 29, 2024. Saints Lazarus, Mary and Martha.

Gospel At that time, 38 Jesus entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, whose name was Mary, sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was busy with much work. She came to him and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the serving by myself? Tell her to come and help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. 42But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her." —Word of Salvation. Reflection 1. This text does not intend, in its primary sense, to speak of hospitality or of the contemplative and active life of the consecrated. Although it is possible to reflect personally on these themes. Someone might think about the value of hospitality based on Martha's gesture and missionary action or even work. Another might explore the fact of contemplative prayer, being alone with Jesus. All of this is valid, good and edifying. Perhaps someone might meditate on the fact that Martha can indicate the external dimension of the disciple's life, while Mary, the interior life. Mary represents the silence of learning, while Martha, the evangelizing proclamation. The fact is that Luke, without stating where this moment occurred, focusing on the theology of “Jesus' journey to Jerusalem”, simply presents a situation of great importance to tell those who wish to approach Jesus that the true disciple is the one who, above all, welcomes the Lord, listens to him with the totality of his being and manifests him in his life. 2. Martha and Mary are friends of Jesus. Using these words, Luke wants to show us what a disciple of Jesus should be like. But first, some important information. Let us analyze the verbs and expressions related to Martha: she welcomed him, she was busy, you don’t care, leave me alone, tell her to come and help me. Martha did indeed welcome Jesus into her home, but it seems that she would like Him and Mary to focus on her. It is as if her tasks were more important. In fact, they are important, but not absolutely important. It is as if Martha was not yet a disciple, because she was focused on herself. Her occupations consumed her attention. The verbs related to Mary: to sit and listen. Mary’s attention was different. Her concern was to stay with Jesus, to learn from Him, to give Him time in her life. The most important thing for her, according to the text, was to be able to listen to the Master. Here is the condition of the disciple. An important detail is that she did not complain about Martha to Jesus, a sign that she was at peace with herself.