In today’s Gospel of Luke (10:38-42) Jesus tells Martha that “Mary has chosen the better part” by putting aside the hectic events of daily life and offered Jesus her undivided attention. Today’s Gospel message calls us to consider how we prioritize Jesus in our life—and if that prioritization fits well with our claim to be “disciples.” It is very easy indeed to say “I believe” in Christ or that “I am a good Christian” but actually doing it is another story (remember last week-end’s Gospel messages about “acting on” all that we see needed to be done for those in need?)
 
I suppose, and I mean this for myself too, that we have to take a good, hard look at what we do…rather than just what is easy to say vis-à-vis following the Lord. On Sunday mornings—and I mean every Sunday morning even in the summer—do I make time for Christ by praising Him at Mass and receiving Him in the Eucharist…or do I only do that when it is convenient or when it fits into my schedule going to religious education classes in the fall and winter? Does Christ come before travel soccer and baseball and hockey and golf? Does Christ “make the cut” over making high tide for the smooth sail on the water or the easy sale at the mall? Why should I make Christ a high priority in my life anyway?
 
In today’s first reading from Genesis (18:1-10a), the Lord appears to Abraham at his tent near the terebinth of Mamre (a Mediterranean tree [Pistacia terebinthus] of the cashew family yielding Chian turpentine) and in the form of three strangers. Note that Abraham asks that he be able to feed and refresh the visitors since the Lord has come this close to His servant. We see that in Christ the Lord continues to come close to us, His disciples, and refreshes us with His sacred Body and Blood at the altar of the Lord—the tree of eternal life. Here Sarah and Abraham provide the finest flour, a tender and choice steer, curds and milk for the three strangers. In return for their generosity and kindnesses, the Lord will provide a child for Sarah and Abraham. The Lord our God provides for His people and His people, in return, are to imitate His generosity and goodness.
 
In the Epistle to the Colossians (1:24-28), St. Paul notes that he is a minister in the Body of Christ, the Church on earth, “in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me to bring completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is He whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Not just St. Paul, and not only Peter and Bartholomew, or Mary or Martha or the Blessed Virgin; not simply Catherine of Siena or Francis or John Paul II – but all of us who have been called and baptized – are commanded to be His disciples, and not only in name but of equal import, in action, teaching everyone with all wisdom.
 
In our Gospel from Luke (10:38-42), we hear the familiar story of the sisters Martha and Mary and the visit to their home by the Lord. Martha welcomes the Lord and busies herself with being the ultimate hostess—fretting about the food, the table, and the seating arrangements. Mary sits at the Lord’s feet and hears Him, listening well to His words and taking in all that the Lord has to offer—all His wisdom, all His teachings. Martha admonishes the Lord for not putting Mary in her place, telling her to help Martha with the household needs. Martha puts a priority on the “little” things of entertainment Mary prioritizes the Word of God and wants to be brought into this new way of life.
 
As we ponder these readings this weekend let us take a message to heart—one that will grow us closer to the Lord: let us consider just “what” we become anxious and worried about in life and ask if our worrying can change things? Will our being anxious make us more pre-pared to overcome our challenges or will it simply take away our energy to “run the good run”? Do we get all caught up in the unimportant things of life—the sports games or the game of office politics and not focus on the “things of life that truly matter” – being with family and friends and listening to their needs and then responding appropriately—telling them the truth even if they don’t seem to want to hear it; maybe hearing the word of God and the call for justice in the world and then responding appropriately— by standing with those who have been wronged and telling the world “no”; maybe by seeing the need for food and shelter in our community and then responding appropriately both personally and by asking our government leaders to act; maybe by seeing something that once was wrong in the past but now, by modern standards, is considered “right or equal” and saying with gentle-ness “no I cannot agree” even when popular opinion dictates otherwise. The Lord our God asks each of us to “choose the better part” with wisdom and kindness, with joy and with hope…and when we do, “it will not be taken from us.”
 
To do this task which the Lord has given to us takes wisdom and knowledge and counseling and under-standing and fortitude and piety and fear (wonder and awe) of the Lord. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, which the Lord has given to us and His church and promised that by them He will lead us to the fullness of truth. What it takes of us is a willingness to let the Holy Spirit settle into our hearts and guide us—not being afraid to let Him speak in and through us. Mary was open to the Spirit. Will we be?