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| “Christ in the House of Martha and Mary” by Cornelis Engebrechtsz, c. 1515 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Jonah 3:1-10
Commentary on Jon 3:1-10
Jonah had tried to run from God after the first time the word of God came to him. He was swallowed by a giant fish and spewed out on dry land. Following his miraculous rescue from the belly of the great fish, the Prophet Jonah is sent to Nineveh, a traditional enemy of the Jews. He is sent to spread the news that, unless they repented their ways, the city would be destroyed. It is not explicit in this reading, but Jonah was sure he would fail and the city would be destroyed. This selection, then, describes his unexpected success and God’s subsequent redemption.
Placed in context of the season of Lent, the reading reminds us of the need for repentance and the promise of God’s mercy.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 130:1b-2, 3-4ab, 7-8
R. (3) If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
Commentary on Ps 130:1b-2, 3-4ab, 7-8
Psalm 130 is an individual lament. It is implicit that all people sin and require God’s mercy as the singer pleads for forgiveness. The psalmist exhorts the faithful to wait for the Lord’s redemption, assuring them it will come.
CCC: Ps 130:3 370
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Gospel: Luke 10:38-42
Commentary on Lk 10:38-42
In this encounter with Martha and Mary in St. Luke’s Gospel, we see two distinct messages. First, we see the importance of the role of women and Jesus’ attitude toward them. Second we see the importance of listening to the word of God: "Mary has chosen the better part."
The selection emphasizes the importance of listening to the teachings of the Lord. While in some early texts the Lord tells Martha there is “need for only a few things,” or of one, the message is clear: Mary, in assuming the role of disciple (listening at the master’s feet) has chosen the correct or better role. Martha, concerning herself with the requirements of hospitality (old law) has chosen the lesser.
“Mystically (St. Gregory the Great, Moralia 2, 6): the two women signify two dimensions of the spiritual life. Martha signifies the active life as she busily labors to honor Christ through her work. Mary exemplifies the contemplative life as she sits attentively to listen and learn from Christ. While both activities are essential to Christian living, the latter is greater than the former. For in heaven the active life terminates, while the contemplative life reaches its perfection.” [4]
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Reflection:
Jonah must be shocked (he will later be angry) that the people of Nineveh have listened to him and, more importantly, believed the word of God he spoke to them. We are told that in only one day into his three day trip across the city, the people reacted to his call to repentance and proclaimed a fast. In accordance with God’s requirement, the entire city participated, putting on sackcloth and ashes, the traditional sign of repentance. The key, for the purpose of the message we receive today, is that the people of Nineveh listened to God’s word and took it to heart.
In St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus visits the house of Martha and Mary. Jewish Law demands that guests be shown hospitality, an obligation Martha takes seriously as she is portrayed “…burdened with much serving.” Her sister, however, is not helping. Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to his word.
There are a few remarkable things about the scene St. Luke describes. First, is that Mary assumes the place “…beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak,” a place that would normally be reserved for his disciples. As a woman, her acceptance at this rabbinical teaching environment is remarkable in ancient Palestine. The fact that the other men present allowed her to stay shows the role women play in St. Luke’s Gospel. This is capped when Martha approaches Jesus and asks him to have Mary help her (anyone with siblings could immediately identify with Martha in this situation). Instead of doing this the Lord tells Martha that her sister has chosen the better part.
The message delivered by the example of the Ninevites in the story of Jonah is reiterated at an individual level. Listen to God’s Word; it is more important than anything else we do. It is the whole point of this faith journey we share. The Word of God comes to us each day, instructing and guiding us. It is important that we listen and try to understand what the Lord is telling us. It is for us “the better part and it will not be taken from” us.
Pax
[1] The picture is “Christ in the House of Martha and Mary” by Cornelis Engebrechtsz, c. 1515
[4] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. pp. 129
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