Jun
29

(XVI Sunday– C) Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42)

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Martha and Mary has become popular names in the early church that Luke does not hesitate to use them as characters in a story about hospitality. In Luke 10:38-42, Martha and Mary illustrate two forms of hospitality: one that is specifically for a prophet (Mary), and another that is for a guest (Martha). While Martha does good in preparing food and drink for the guest, it is Mary who does the right thing by listening to the word that is proclaimed. The history of the interpretation of this text however gives us more than a story about hospitality. It can also be read in different keys as explained in the article below.

Relevant Articles

Guide to the Reading of the Gospel

1. Martha and Mary may be known to those who are familiar with the description of the sisters of Lazarus (John 11). In this Lucan narrative, it would be best to just take the names as characters of a vignette about discipleship. Martha and Mary here is equivalent to the "Pedro-Juan" tandem in humorous stories Filipinos tell one another. They are names of characters taken from popular personages of the past.

2. Jesus has been presented as a prophet since the episode of the first rejection at Nazareth (Luke 4). This is strenghened in Luke 9:28-36 (Transfiguration), especially in the command: "Listen to him". So in the story of Martha and Mary, we actually find a woman sitting at the feet of Jesus in the position of a scribe, listening to him.

3. Martha was busy with the work of a host. One can imagine her at the kitchen preparing for a dinner, and then exasperated, goes to where Mary is and tries to influence the Lord to make her sister do some work. The response of the Lord is to be noted: he contrasts the many things over Martha is worried and the one thing necessary that Mary has chosen. Mary has chosen what was "better"; Martha has been doing something good (after all, she was doing a work of hospitality), but not as good as the one of Mary.

Review of the Readings of the 16th Sunday — C

The gospel reading is in a way related to the first reading of the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time. In Genesis 18:1-10, we find Abraham showing hospitality to three men. Because of this act of kindness, he is promised a son. The responsorial psalm (Psalm 15), Abraham’s act of kindness is presented as "doing justice".

The second reading is taken from Colossians 1:24-28 where Paul tells the Colossians about the mystery he has been entrusted to proclaim: Christ Himself. Notice the progression of concepts: "word of God" –> "mystery" –>"Christ". The content of Paul’s message is no one else but Christ proclaimed and preached so that the Colossians may truly grow into maturity. That Paul is able to do this is cause for rejoicing, because he does it while sharing in the sufferings of Christ’s Body, the Church.

Suggestion for the Lesson

1. After having reflected on the demands of the commandment "love your neighbor as yourself", we are given the picture of hospitality to a bearer of God’s word. The vignette about Mary and Martha is also about how we show hospitality to a missionary. After all, wasn’t it the Lord who said "whoever receives you, receives me." Hospitality to a worker is best given by one’s attention to the word being proclaimed. Giving him food and water is good, but listening to him is better.

2. One can also take the cue from the second reading and speak about the idea of "Word of God" which Catholics, under the influence of fundamentalist preachers have begun to associate only with what is called "the Bible". Paul speaks of the "word of God", which is "the mystery" he has been entrusted to proclaim, "Christ himself". Here we find, Christ as the meaning of "word of God", proclaimed by the voice of the apostle as he hands on to the Colossians the substance of apostolic faith (apostolic tradition) through the written word (Sacred Scriptures). Thus the three meanings of "Word of God": Christ, apostolic tradition, Scriptures.

Luke 10:38-42
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
38Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house.
39And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord's feet, heard his word.
40But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me.
41And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things:
42But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Colossians 1:24-28
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church:
25Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I may fulfill the word of God:
26The mystery which hath been hidden from ages and generations, but now is manifested to his saints,
27To whom God would make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ, in you the hope of glory.
28Whom we preach, admonishing every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
Luke 9:28-36
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
28And it came to pass about eight days after these words, that he took Peter, and James, and John, and went up into a mountain to pray.
29And whilst he prayed, the shape of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and glittering.
30And behold two men were talking with him. And they were Moses and Elias,
31Appearing in majesty. And they spoke of his decease that he should accomplish in Jerusalem.
32But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep. And waking, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
33And it came to pass, that as they were departing from him, Peter saith to Jesus: Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias; not knowing what he said.
34And as he spoke these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them; and they were afraid, when they entered into the cloud.
35And a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son; hear him.
36And whilst the voice was uttered, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of these things which they had seen.
Genesis 18:1-10
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg LXX Hebrew
1And the Lord appeared to him in the vale of Mambre as he was sitting at the door of his tent, in the very heat of the day.
2And when he had lifted up his eyes, there appeared to him three men standing near him: and as soon as he saw them he ran to meet them from the door of his tent, and adored down to the ground.
3And he said: Lord, if I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away from thy servant:
4But I will fetch a little water, and wash ye your feet, and rest ye under the tree.
5And I will set a morsel of bread, and strengthen ye your heart, afterwards you shall pass on: for therefore are you come aside to your servant. And they said: Do as thou hast spoken.
6Abraham made haste into the tent to Sara, and said to her: Make haste, temper together three measures of flour, and make cakes upon the hearth.
7And he himself ran to the herd, and took from thence a calf very tender and very good, and gave it to a young man: who made haste and boiled it.
8He took also butter and milk, and the calf which he had boiled, and set before them: but he stood by them under the tree.
9And when they had eaten, they said to him: Where is Sara thy wife? He answered: Lo, she is in the tent.
10And he said to him: I will return and come to thee at this time, life accompanying and Sara thy wife shall have a son. Which when Sara heard, she laughed behind the door of the tent.
Colossians 1:24-28
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church:
25Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I may fulfill the word of God:
26The mystery which hath been hidden from ages and generations, but now is manifested to his saints,
27To whom God would make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ, in you the hope of glory.
28Whom we preach, admonishing every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

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Posted by angfrayle New Testament, Ordinary Time, Synoptic Gospels, The Sunday Lectionary Subscribe to RSS feed Email This Post Email This Post Print This Post Print This Post

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