16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reflection

Luke 10:38-42

If one were to make a quick judgment about what the first reading and the Gospel passage of today’s Mass had in common, it might be to say that they were both giving lessons about hospitality. Abraham received the unexpected visit of three lordly figures and he welcomes them and hurries to look after them providing refreshment according to the customs of his time. Luke’s Gospel, on the other hand, mentions Martha’s efforts to put food on the table for her beloved guest, Jesus, who had arrived to spend some days with this generous and pious family made up of two sisters and a brother. It is true that the common thread of both readings is the welcoming of valued visitors. But each reading provides its own added message.
 
Abraham was immediately aware that the three individuals before him were no ordinary men. He was honoured by their presence and responded with great and thoughtful generosity. This response would be rewarded by a precious piece of news, that revealed that the men were not men, but angels of the Lord. The news was that Sarah, in her old age, would bear a son, in accordance with God’s earlier promise.
 
The vision seems especially intriguing in the light of what we know through the later revelation of the New Testament. Abraham was the chosen ancestor of Jesus, who is the Son of God made man, the Saviour of the world. That he is visited by three angels and not just one appears to be a sign of the one God who was preparing to reveal to us his inner life as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Sometimes Abraham speaks as if addressing only one personage, addressing him as Lord, and other times as if speaking to the three. Might the one personage be an angel representing the Son, or even a vision of his future descendent Jesus Christ, the Son incarnate? At the very least the dialogue does hint at the unity and Trinity of the Almighty.
 
In this passage and the ones that follow in the book of Genesis, Abraham continues to show himself to be a man of faith, with great reverence for God and for anyone who represents him. He pays close attention to whatever is said in the name of God and he strives to act upon it. His is a deep and obedient faith. May ours be like his.
 
In the house of Bethany where we find Jesus himself, we witness the busyness of Martha in attending to the chores of hospitality. However, we also hear of her anxious and annoyed reaction to her sister Mary’s inactivity as she sits listening carefully to what Jesus is saying. Both of these women sincerely loved Our Lord and had faith in him. Yet on this occasion, Martha loses her fair judgment, and her peace as well. She quickly recovers her composure and good sense hearing Jesus’ affectionate words to her: “Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary that has chosen the better part; and it is not to be taken away from her.”
 
This little incident – so familiar and touching – can help us a great deal in our own lives, often busy, full of demands or apparent contradictions. Jesus does not mean that we should neglect practical duties. Rather, we should try our best to do them in God’s presence and with his help. Then we will be less stressed, more orderly, and grow in virtue, while becoming worthy of  reward in the life to come. On the other hand, it is unlikely we will achieve this kind of unity of life unless we spend some exclusive time with Our Lord.