Homily for Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 29th July, 2021. The Memorial of St. Martha

 Homily for Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 29th July, 2021. The Memorial of St. Martha

Readings: Eox. 40:16-21.34-38, Ps. 84; Luke 10:38-42

BUSY WITHOUT LISTENING AND LISTENING WITHOUT DOING ANY THING IS COMPLETELY WORTHLESS

Oftentimes, we worry about so many things in life, trying to satisfy everyone at the expense of the real thing that matters more. I have really come across people who are often worried about how to make others feel more comfortable without minding their own discomfort. They are so concerned with pleasing others even when they are not pleased. What a great sacrificial virtue that is not common this days. This sacrificial virtue is the attitude of Martha whose memorial we celebrate today. 

In our Gospel passage we have the story of how Martha was so busy trying to make Jesus comfortable as he visited them at their house in Bethany. But when Martha observed that her sister Mary was not helping out in the preparation, rather was busy listening to Jesus, she said to Jesus: “Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her”.

 

Here, Jesus is not condemning this great sacrificial virtue nor condoning laziness. Rather, he is saying that busy without listening and listening without doing is completely worthless. Hence, he gently corrected the impression of Martha who was too busy and distracted with so many things that she risks losing sight of what is really important, that is, listening to Jesus. This is because Martha gives the impression that Mary is just sitting there doing nothing. But, in fact, she is listening to Jesus. 

However, Jesus is not telling us to be content with sitting down to listen to his word, for he always insists that the best way of listening to his word is by putting it into practice. While his objection to Martha is because she was too anxious and distracted by many things that she was not able to really listen to him and for Jesus listening is the best option 

Dear friends, in our relationship with Jesus, are we more of listener or more of accommodating and caring? Are we more like Martha or like Mary for they were both friends of Jesus? Today many of us are so busy and anxious of so many things that we have no time to listen to God speaking to us and addressing the situation we are actually busy trying to solve. Today we are called like Martha to pause and listen, so that we can hear God speaking to us and directing us towards the right path. 

Remember, Martha who was known as a friend of Jesus, loved to welcome him into her home, let  us also learn from her, for it is a great virtue to be hospitable and caring especially when we spend quality time to listen to God and letting him direct and guide us towards carrying out our daily tasks. Therefore, let learn from Moses in our first reading, who always listen to God and so was able to erect the Tabernacle of God as he was directed.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are anxious and worried about so many things, but indeed only one thing is needed, give us the grace to truly listen to your word and be caring and hospitable just like St. Martha. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.