Mary has chosen the better part

Jonah 3:1-10, Lk. 10:38-42. Sometimes it is necessary to stop our regular routine, be attentive to God and wait on Him. Today's first reading recounts how the Ninevites turned from their sinful ways and waited on the mercy of the Lord. For Jonah, repentance meant more than the ritual acts of sackcloth and ashes. All persons were required to “turn from their evil ways,” a phrase repeated twice in this book, as signs of true conversion. This is to reiterates the fact that ritual and moral repentance are expected. The importance of waiting on God and attentively listening to God is further emphasised in today’s Gospel story of Martha and Mary. In this story, Mary clearly had other responsibilities to help her sister but ignored them to listen to Jesus. 

Jesus told Martha not to be so anxious and upset about things, for only one thing is required: “Mary has chosen the better portion.” The “better portion,” praised by Jesus is by no way makes activity unimportant, but we need to make time for our spirit and soul, have a direction and discern things rightly. We need to imitate the active life of Martha and the contemplative part of Mary. Jesus is not opposed in principle to people working hard in the service of others. In the parable of the Good Samaritan He praises compassion and active love. As the book of Ecclesiastes says, “there is a time for every matter under heaven,” which could be paraphrases as “there is a time to be active and a time to be silent and listen.” Mary instinctively recognised that this was the kind of hospitality required on this occasion, listening rather than doing. Mary was more attuned than Martha to what the Lord really wanted. Christ wants us to work on His behalf, but He also wants us to listen to Him. Wisdom prompts us when to be active and busy and when to simply sit and listen to His word.

May the Lord open our hearts and minds to listen to the voice of God and help us to resist the temptation of allowing the struggles of this world to take us from the love of God! Amen!! Good morning and have a pleasant day!!!