Fr. Alex Roman sx
I want to start this reflection, on the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C, with the words of the Psalmist and the response of the people, “The just will live in the presence of the Lord”(Ps 14:2-5). The first reading presents the condition of Abraham and Sarah as itinerant shepherds who welcome the Lord at Mamre as a “three man” stranger. The attitude of Abraham: He is the one that takes the initiative to receive the Three Men in his tent. This is a remarkable teaching about welcoming and how in the unexpected guest he receives unexpected Blessing.
The second reading is about our filling up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of others. What we suffer for others, what we might suffer in receiving a guest, what we suffer in any way, can always be offered up to the Lord for the salvation of the world.. Living in this way changes our perspective on suffering and makes our own lives an offer for others.
In the Gospel the two sisters behave in contrast with each other. Martha is taken up by too much work, she is anxious, and experiences great tension. Jesus does not disapprove the service of Martha, but only the restlessness with which she does it. Mary is the one who accepts the word, Jesus says that Mary has preferred “the better part” which means listening of his Word. Mary’s attitude is in contrast with the one full of anxiety and tension of her sister. Jesus had already mentioned something about this risk: “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and everything else will be given to you as well” (Lk 12, 31).
Balance between action and contemplation. It is not a question of dividing the day in times dedicated to prayer and others to service, but attention to the Word should precede and accompany the service. The effort to listen to God cannot be substituted with other activities: it is necessary to dedicate some time and place to seek the Lord. The commitment to listening to the Word comes from desire to give attention to God. Everything can contribute: the place, the environment, the time. However, the desire to encounter God should come from within one’s own heart. The balance between listening and service concerns all believers; in family life as well as in professional and social life. What can we do for baptized persons to persevere and attain the maturity of faith? We should educate ourselves to listen to the Word of God. This is the most difficult but surest way to attain maturity of faith. Living this way, we can glorify the Lord at all times.
I want to start this reflection, on the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C, with the words of the Psalmist and the response of the people, “The just will live in the presence of the Lord”(Ps 14:2-5). The first reading presents the condition of Abraham and Sarah as itinerant shepherds who welcome the Lord at Mamre as a “three man” stranger. The attitude of Abraham: He is the one that takes the initiative to receive the Three Men in his tent. This is a remarkable teaching about welcoming and how in the unexpected guest he receives unexpected Blessing.
The second reading is about our filling up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of others. What we suffer for others, what we might suffer in receiving a guest, what we suffer in any way, can always be offered up to the Lord for the salvation of the world.. Living in this way changes our perspective on suffering and makes our own lives an offer for others.
In the Gospel the two sisters behave in contrast with each other. Martha is taken up by too much work, she is anxious, and experiences great tension. Jesus does not disapprove the service of Martha, but only the restlessness with which she does it. Mary is the one who accepts the word, Jesus says that Mary has preferred “the better part” which means listening of his Word. Mary’s attitude is in contrast with the one full of anxiety and tension of her sister. Jesus had already mentioned something about this risk: “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and everything else will be given to you as well” (Lk 12, 31).
Balance between action and contemplation. It is not a question of dividing the day in times dedicated to prayer and others to service, but attention to the Word should precede and accompany the service. The effort to listen to God cannot be substituted with other activities: it is necessary to dedicate some time and place to seek the Lord. The commitment to listening to the Word comes from desire to give attention to God. Everything can contribute: the place, the environment, the time. However, the desire to encounter God should come from within one’s own heart. The balance between listening and service concerns all believers; in family life as well as in professional and social life. What can we do for baptized persons to persevere and attain the maturity of faith? We should educate ourselves to listen to the Word of God. This is the most difficult but surest way to attain maturity of faith. Living this way, we can glorify the Lord at all times.