16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Genesis 18:1-10 II: Col 1:24-28

³⁸ Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house.
³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.
⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."
⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
⁴² one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her."

• This was on Jesus' last journey to Jerusalem. The town is Bethany where Lazarus and his two older sisters Martha and Mary lived.
• (v.38) In the ancient Mediterranean culture, the woman of the family owns the house, not the man. The oldest daughter will inherit the house when the mother dies. In some translations based on Greek manuscripts, i.e., 1986 New American Bible, the phrase "her house" is omitted.
• (v.39) Maria is the one who anointed with perfumed oil and dried the feet of Jesus with her hair (Jn 12:1-3).
• Given the popularity of Jesus during His last days, it is quite possible that Jesus was not alone with Martha and Maria. It is likely that some of His disciples accompanied Him into the house. Mediterranean homes are the dwelling place of extended families; other relatives of Martha and Maria could be in the room. In the tradition of the time, their brother Lazarus would feel compelled to chaperone his unmarried sisters at the presence of an unrelated man (Jn 11).
• In a culture where spaces were defined by gender, Maria definitely was seated with Jesus in a place reserved for men.
• The action of Mary emphasizes the love of God, whereas the action of the Samaritan in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37) emphasizes the love of neighbor.

Perform service for the love of God, not for the love of the work itself.

1. Are our works bringing us closer to God? Are we paying attention to the works themselves, or do we do these works so that the name of God can be glorified?
2. Reflect on our kindness. Many times, we are so willing to be kind to other people, but only if it will not interfere with our plans for other things. We want to be kind to people, but in our own way.
3. Contemplate the context of this story. A few days before His passion, Jesus had been in many places preaching. He is exhausted. His heart is probably heavy with the gradually revealing of the image of the cross. He comes to your house because He considers you as his friend. What does he seek? A seven course dinner? Or is it your love that He seeks? Would He want your heart to comfort and listen to Him? If you are kind and you love Him, what would you do? Would you gently hold His hand and tell him: Lord I am listening to you. I am ready to share the pain in your heart. Listen to Him and let your love for Him guide you, meditate on the feeling that He shares with you.

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A synthesis by the Vietnamese Christian Life (Dong Hanh) Community