WEEKLY REFLECTION
The Gospel Reading is from the Gospel of St. Luke (10:38-42). Again, we have a familiar story: that of Martha and Mary of Bethany, sisters who, along with their brother, Lazarus, were close friends of Jesus.

Martha is the busy worker and house-keeper, active and productive; her sister Mary is reflective, eager to learn. Martha takes the initiative by fetching Jesus to their house when their brother Lazarus dies; Mary sits and listens to Jesus as he teaches.

Martha was deeply involved in providing a good meal for Jesus while Mary was more concerned with receiving a spiritual meal from Jesus — His words of divine wisdom. Jesus did not rebuke Martha. He just pointed out that Mary had chosen the more important part of hospitality, that of listening.

The German theologian Friedrich Justus Knecht gives the typical interpretation of this passage, writing: "The story of the Good Samaritan gave us an example of the love of our neighbor. In Martha and Mary, we have a model of the true love of God. Both sisters loved our Divine Lord, but they showed their love in different ways. Mary was all absorbed, listening to and meditating on His words; and, carried out of herself by her love of Him, she forgot everything else. Martha, on the other hand, was taken up with active work in His service, and could only think of how she might most perfectly minister to His wants. Martha spent herself in her efforts to prepare food for our Lord, while Mary was entirely occupied in being fed by Him... Like Martha we ought to do our best to fulfil the duties of our state of life: but we should not, on this account, neglect to hear and meditate on the divine word. 'These things you ought to have done, and not leave those undone' (Matt. 23:23). Pray and work!"

Have you ever thought of the Sunday Mass as a banquet and you as an invited guest? It is, and it has the necessary ingredients for great hospitality. In this banquet we have great forms of communication: prayer and singing; lessons of instruction and guidance; and we have the divine bread of life and the cup of salvation.

This being so, why then is everyone in such a hurry to leave, sometimes before the host gives the last blessing? What do YOU remember about last Sunday's “banquet?”