Beyond the Ordinary

Mary was sitting at the Lord’s feet hearing his word.
Martha was busy with serving.
Mary has chosen the best part.
Luke 10:39, 40, 42

The short verses of Luke 10:38–42 are among the best-known in Sacred Scripture, describing as they do the encounter that took place between Jesus and the two sisters, Martha and Mary, in Martha’s house in what Luke describes as “a certain city” but which we know from the Gospel of John was Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. While Mary sat near Jesus to hear his words, Martha was busy serving up supper, and when Mary did not rise to help, Martha asked Jesus to remind her sister that shewas needed in the kitchen. Jesus replied, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things, but only one thing is necessary, and Mary has chosen the better part. Martha had at that time thought it her duty to prefer the ordinary stuff of life to the words of the Jesus. Continue reading “Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time”