GOSPEL REFLECTION, WEDNESDAY, 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, 29 JULY 2026, STS MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS, DISCIPLES OF THE LORD

Luke 10:38-42.  Very close to the end of Jesus’ long journey to Jerusalem (now only about two miles away), Jesus entered the house of Marth, Mary and Lazarus to rest.  The time is now close to his death in Jerusalem.  He was aware that his death was near.  We cannot speculate too far, but there must have been complex emotions in his heart, and after the long journey from  Galilee and the steep ascent into the city, Jesus and the other disciples must have been tired.  Martha immediately went about making sure that Jesus and the others were served.  She complained, however, that her sister Mary sat at the feet of the Lord, listening to him.  She asked the Lord to tell Mary to help her rather than doing what she was, but the Lord told her, “Martha, Martha, you are distracted and worried about many things, there is need for only one thing, Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

This text of the gospel has been taken to mean a variety of things over the centuries, such as a rationale for the difference between an “active” life of service and a “contemplative” life, the latter being held in highest regard.  However, both are required in any Christian community, both are true service to the Lord, and both reflect differences of religious temperament which are found in any Christian group.  St Augustine declares in a sermon, “both are good.”  In fact they are differences to one extent or another in any Christian heart.  Action and contemplation cannot be regarded as two opposed ways of being a Christian.   Both are good.  An active, serving life cannot be separated from a life of reflection and prayer.  The latter is certainly what gives motivation for the former, for both must be focused on the Lord and in his service.  A busy life without a rootedness in union with God, cannot be Christian.  We can all see around us that at different stages of our Christian life we can be more active or more contemplative.  Finally, we note that today we celebrate the lives of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus as saints equally.