16th Sunday of Year C 2016)

DOCTRINE AND FAITH 
(Gen 18,1-10; Colossians 1,24-28; Luke 10, 38-42: 16th Sunday of Year C  2016)

  

Jesus’ words to Martha, in its face value, surprises us because it seems to contradict the consistent teaching about the importance of hospitality in the Sacred Scriptures in the Old Testament. According reception and hospitality to strangers and travellers were strongly recommended. A classical example is today’s first reading episode, where Abraham heartily welcomed three unexpected and mysterious guests who came up to his tent. For his hospitality, Abraham was rewarded with the announcement of the birth of a son within a year. Jesus himself lent value to hospitality and kindness to strangers as he considered himself the eventual beneficiaries of the kind gestures. On judgement day Jesus would say to those who welcomed strangers, I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt 25,35). The apostles in their exhortations and writings continued discussing and praising the practice of hospitality as excellent work of charity.

    The disturbing issue in the gospel is why should Jesus criticize Martha who was preparing a dignified welcome for him. Evidently, it was not for her spirit of hospitality or welcome that she was rebuked, but rather for being agitated about things to be prepared and allowing herself to be absorbed in them, thereby putting what was more important secondary, even more essential. But what was the essential thing, Jesus talked about? It was Mary’s attitude in listening to his words. There is only one thing that is necessary and Mary has chosen that. It is appropriate to note, that given the two attitudes of the two sisters as depicted in the passage as well as the dialogue between Jesus and Martha, there is no intention to contrast Martha’s action and Mary’s contemplation. The intention was to put, in proper perspective, the essential and distinctive attitude of a disciple. Listening to the word of the Lord is the condition that will enable a favourable service to the people, diaconia not becoming empty and sterile agitation. It is also to be noted that the unique thing that matters is to have a personal and faithful rapport with the Lord which already anticipates the full and definitive communion of life, the best part that will not be taken away from us. This does not mean that pastoral works, various works of human occupation and profession, family duties and those of social and political character lose their value. They maintain their importance, but a relative one, or second value. It follows Jesus’ indication which holds that the only thing necessary, absolute importance and of primary value for salvation, consists of staying at the feet of Jesus, listening to his words, living in his intimacy and friendship. All other matters, even if they are relatively necessary and important, are to be regarded secondary importance and value. They are to be appraised and seen in the light of the word of God and from this intimate vital rapport with the Lord, it will be able to attain its validity.

    We are invited to reevaluate the contemplative aspect of our lives as Christians and place it back in its exalted position in our encounter with God in our prayers and our meditations, and make his words our truly daily nutriment. Once we are able to reestablish this primacy, not in words but in facts and in order to realize its effect in us, it will be necessary to dedicate enough time to it, not just a little part of our day. It is not easy to make out time, one may say, in the midst of life we live these days and that is true, however, impossible it may seem, with good will and the grace of God, it will be possible. In the words of Jesus to Martha, there is some implicit warning for Priests, Rev. Sisters and Brothers and the Lay Faithful who work in the vineyard of the Lord and take the responsibility for the growth of our Christian community. They are not to give so much weight or importance or dedicate excessive time to exterior work and activities to the detriment to prayer and listening to the word of God and intimacy with the Lord. May we, therefore, ask God in today’s Eucharistic celebration to give us the grace to dedicate more of our time to the most important thing for our salvation. Happy Sunday! +John I. Okoye