Luke 10:38-42 “in a snailshell”
Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang
As they continued their journey he 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.”
Luke 10:38-42
The Necessity of Contemplation
Drawn out of her center in multiple directions, Martha bustles to serve Jesus a delicious meal with beautiful table settings. Distressed to find her sister Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet, she implores, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” Martha thought, Why doesn’t Jesus ask Mary to help me?
Jesus understands and appreciates Martha’s desire to prepare the table and meal, but he teaches her the priority of spending quality time with him. Amid the busyness of the apostolic mission, Mary treasures Jesus’ rare visit to their home, seizing the opportunity to listen to his words. Although hospitality is important, “Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Jesus takes delight in Mary’s wonder, listening with loving attention, heedful of the “one thing necessary.”
Listening, too, is an arduous task. Disciples who listen attentively to the words of the Lord absorb his wisdom for the good of the Church. The world needs movers and shakers, but also contemplatives who draw the universe into the divine orbit through their hidden and silent union with God.
Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things.
Leave Mary at my feet, soaring on eagles’ wings.
Traditional Chinese Translation
《馬大與馬利亞》
馬大馬大，你為很多的事思慮煩擾。
讓馬利亞留在我腳邊，翱翔在鷹的翅膀上。
Dear GMC, Thank you for your reflection. It reminds me of my sisters and me. I tend to be Mary and they are definitely Marthas. It’s not that Mary doesn’t have a job to do, it’s that her job is different and my sisters recognize that about me. So, whenever we get together, they love trying out their new recipes and I love telling them what’s new at The Victor’s Place. They actually become Marys and listen!
That’s wonderful sisterly camaraderie! Thank for you sharing the joy at The Victor’s Place!