Genesis 18:1-10; Psalms 14(15); Collosians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42
What is the Best Part?
Dear friends, today is the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us the importance of getting our priorities right. Often, we spend time and energy doing things we’d rather not do, just to please others. We live like slaves, trying to earn the approval of bosses, superiors, or even friends. Other times, we complain even about the things we choose to do.
When Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, Martha quickly rushed to prepare food for Him and His companions. She believed that hospitality meant giving her best effort in the kitchen—a common instinct for many of us. Mary, however, sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him speak. When Martha complained that Mary wasn’t helping, Jesus gently told her that she was distructed by too many unimportant things while Mary had chosen the better part, which would not be taken from her.
Do you sometimes have Martha’s attitude? In many homes, more time is spent preparing meals for guests than in being present with them and enjoying their company. Yet not all guests come to eat. I’m just saying.
In every prayer we say and every Mass we attend, Jesus is with us—not so that we might feed Him, but so He might feed us with His Word and His presence in the Eucharist. Many Christians go to church thinking they must tell Jesus everything in their hearts. But in truth, it is Jesus who calls us to listen to Him. He wants to nourish our souls with divine wisdom.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that Martha was wrong to prepare food. If she had served joyfully and with love, she would have received her reward too. Sometimes we miss our blessings by comparing ourselves to others and letting envy creep in. Isn’t that true?
In the first reading, Abraham welcomes three strangers, prepares a meal for them, and offers them rest, without realizing they were messengers of God. In return, he receives the long-awaited promise of a child. How often do we ignore or reject strangers—thinking they are burdens—while spending long hours in prayer asking God for miracles? Perhaps God is knocking, but we are too busy chasing blessings to welcome Him in.
St. Paul reminds the Colossians that he became a servant of the Church to proclaim the mystery revealed through Christ. This is the kind of catechesis we all need to become true disciples. Prayer is not just about telling God what we want. Jesus Himself said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
True prayer and worship involve listening to God’s Word and acting on it. It’s about living our faith in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and homes. Prayer is being open to receive what God wants to give us. So, are you praying correctly?
Dear friends, let us reflect on our attitude toward prayer and worship. Do we spend time listening to Jesus, or are we too busy talking to let Him speak to us?
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
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SVD JAMBO KENTAN 