Sixteenth Sunday Gospel C

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, Mary and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. They lived in Bethany outside of Jerusalem. This is probably where Jesus and the disciples stayed when they went to Jerusalem.

· Mary assumes the position of a disciple, sitting beside Jesus at his feet and listening to him. It indicates that Jesus had both men and women disciples.

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.” 

· Trying to feed a group of more than fifteen people was a major task for one person. Martha feels that her sister should share the load.

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.”

· Jesus reminds her and us that there is a priority in life: Listening to the word of God because there is a great hunger in one’s heart for the truth is prior to sharing in the preparation of a meal. Both are good but one is greater.

· What causes us anxiety? What is the real issue underlying our anxiety? What was it for Martha?

· What is our priority in our daily life? How much quality time do we spend listening to the Lord? How much time do we spend doing things, even for the Lord?

· What message do we take and apply in our lives from reflecting on this passage?