Gen. 18:1-10a Col. 1:24-28 Lk. 10:38-42

Dear friends, many us can relate to Martha in the gospel story of today.

When Jesus visited her home, Martha naturally wanted to offer the best hospitality she could, preparing food and getting everything ready.

She became frustrated with her sister Mary, who instead of helping, simply sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to him.

Martha wanted Jesus to tell Mary to help, but instead, Jesus gently pointed out that Martha was anxious and worried about many things.

He reminded her that Mary had chosen the better part that is listening.

This story reminds me that there are different ways to serve. Sometimes love calls for action and busyness, like the Good Samaritan who cared for the wounded man on the road.

At other times, love requires stillness — the quiet attention of listening deeply.

Jesus, on that visit to Martha’s home, came with something to say, something to offer — the gift of his word.

Mary recognised that this was a time to listen rather than serve actively. She showed hospitality by her presence, her attentive listening.

This challenges me to be more discerning about what love asks of me in each moment.

Do I need to act, or do I need to stop and listen?

I’m reminded that not everyone expresses love the same way, and those I might be quick to criticise could actually have something valuable to teach me.

Jesus did not dismiss the importance of active service — he accepted it gratefully in other moments, like when a woman washed his feet with her hair.

But when he visited Martha and Mary, it was a time for them to receive from him, and not just to serve him.

In my own life, I pray for the wisdom to know when it is time to be active and when it is time to sit quietly at the Lord’s feet, we are to meditation.

For instance,there is a time when our love of the Lord will take the form of the very active service of Abraham towards his three guests in today’s first reading.

He brought them water to drink, washed their feet, asked his wife to bake three loaves and his servant to kill the best calf, and brought them cream and milk.

This is hospitality as we all understand it and we are very grateful for those people who show their love for the Lord by their wonderful hospitable spirit towards us.

There is also a time when our love for the Lord needs to take the form of sitting at his feet and listening to his word, as Mary did.

The prayer of listening(contemplation)can create a space in our lives for the Lord to feed us with his Spirit and his word.

There is a time for allowing the Lord to serve us, as well as a time for serving him.

Both forms of service have their place, but I don’t want to miss the moments when the Lord is offering me his presence, his word, and his Spirit.

Sometimes, the best way to love him is to let him serve me — to listen, to receive, to be still.