Gospel Reading: 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.”
REFLECTION
My sister has left me by myself to do the serving
Filipinos, in general, find an ally in Martha, in terms of showing extraordinary concern towards visitors. How many times do we find ourselves so busy with food and other preparations for our guests that we neglect real hospitality in the process? When our attention focuses on the flood, the decoration, and the table setup, how much time do we have left to make our guests really feel welcome and at home? We have learn to be attentive to our guests and to God.
Mary finds real value in welcoming Jesus by being with and listening to him. And Jesus declares that she “has chosen the better part.”
Real hospitality is not so much in what we can offer materially, but in extending our hearts to receive our guests.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.