GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Luke 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village

where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.

She had a sister named Mary

who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,

“Lord, do you not care

that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?

Tell her to help me.”

The Lord said to her in reply,

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

There is need of only one thing.

Mary has chosen the better part

and it will not be taken from her.”

The word of the Lord

 

That never ends well.

Because of our fallen nature, we tend to judge others—and so much so, that we even try to get Jesus to take our side. In doing so, we may find ourselves acting like Martha, asking the Lord what He thinks about what our spouse does or doesn’t do, because we believe they should change and do things the way we do them. Martha couldn’t understand why Mary wasn’t focused on what she considered important, and above all, she couldn’t grasp why the Lord seemed unbothered by Mary’s attitude.

Let’s highlight two clear points here:

First, Jesus does not like us accusing one another in any way.

Second, Martha was mistaken about what truly mattered to the Lord.

What is that “better part” Jesus speaks of—the one Mary chose? Intimacy with Him. You may be doing many things, even within the Church—serving couples, teaching catechesis—but before your work, before your mission, He wants you. He desires that deep intimacy with you, the kind no one can take away, forged only through prayer. That intimacy will help us align everything we do with His will, for His glory—not ours.

So, take a moment to ask what Jesus is asking of you, and don’t judge what the other is doing or not doing. That never ends well.

Applied to Married Life

Rose: Oh Charles, I’ve got so much to do I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. This morning I was so anxious thinking about everything that I couldn’t even pray—and it’s been like that for a while… I’ve been all over the place. I hadn’t told you.

Charles : That won’t do, my love. Nothing is more important than prayer. In prayer you’ll find the strength and the guidance to do everything you do—always in the Lord. Never postpone that time alone with Him.

Rose: You’re absolutely right. And to make things worse, I’d started thinking that you didn’t really care about all the things we have to do, and that you’re too relaxed about what I consider important… I was judging you… I’m sorry.

Charles: I love you, Rose. I’ll be more attentive in helping you—I know I need to improve there. But without prayer, we’re going nowhere, right?

Rose: Right. All for His Glory.

Charles: So be it!

Mother,

You lived always intimately united to the Heart of your Son. Help me to live in Him, with you. Praised be you forever!