My dear friends, today's readings offer us a rich tapestry of divine encounter, selfless service, and profound truth. As we reflect on t...
My dear friends, today's readings offer us a rich tapestry of divine encounter, selfless service, and profound truth. As we reflect on the figures of Martha and Mary, and the concept of "mystery," we find ourselves invited to a deeper understanding of our own lives and our relationship with God.
Let us begin with Martha. In the Gospel, we see a woman of action, deeply committed to hospitality. She is "distracted with much serving," a phrase many of us can relate to in our busy lives. Martha embodies the spirit of practical love, diligently working to ensure her guests are comfortable. Her concern for doing things well is admirable, and indeed, essential for community life. We are called to serve, to be active participants in the world, to use our hands and our efforts for the good of others, just as Abraham did in the First Reading, hastening to provide for his unexpected visitors.
Yet, alongside Martha, we encounter Mary. Mary chooses a different path in that moment. She sits at the Lord's feet, listening to his teaching. Her posture speaks of attentiveness, humility, and a profound desire for spiritual nourishment. Jesus affirms her choice, stating she has "chosen the better part." This isn't a dismissal of Martha's service, but an invitation to recognize that amidst our doing, there is an essential need for being – being present to God, listening to His word, and nurturing our inner life. In a world that constantly demands our attention and values productivity above all else, Mary reminds us of the paramount importance of quiet contemplation and spiritual reception.
And what is it that Mary is listening to, that which is so vital? It is the Mystery. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, speaks of "the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past... Christ in you, the hope for glory." This isn't a puzzle to be solved, but a truth to be embraced – the profound reality of God's presence within us and among us, revealed in Jesus Christ. It's the mystery of hospitality, where strangers become channels of blessing, as Abraham experienced. It's the mystery of suffering, transformed by Christ, as Paul testifies. It's the mystery that gives meaning to our service and enriches our contemplation.
So, what do Martha, Mary, and the Mystery teach us? They challenge us to find a sacred balance. Our active service, like Martha's, becomes truly fruitful when it flows from a heart nurtured by contemplation, like Mary's. And both service and contemplation are ultimately directed towards embracing and living out the divine Mystery – the presence of Christ within us, guiding us, sustaining us, and inviting us into a deeper relationship with God and one another.
May we, like Abraham, be open to the unexpected divine encounters. May we, like Martha, serve with generosity and love. But let us also, like Mary, carve out time to sit at the feet of the Lord, to listen to His voice, and to allow the profound Mystery of His love to transform our hearts, making all our actions, whether in service or in stillness, truly God-centered and life-giving. Amen.
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