Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”  (Luke 10:42)

In the Gospel story of Martha and Mary, we see two good responses to the presence of Christ. Martha is busy serving the Lord, while Mary sits at His feet and listens to Him. Martha’s service is certainly good and praiseworthy, yet Christ tells her that Mary has chosen “the better part.” Martha was not doing anything wrong. Her service was good and necessary, but she had become “anxious and troubled about many things.” Mary, meanwhile, was focused on the one thing necessary: being attentive to Christ.

This reminds us that, although our work and responsibilities are good and necessary, they must ultimately lead us toward the contemplation and love of God. There will always be many things demanding our attention, but only one thing is truly necessary. Like Mary, we are called to place ourselves at Christ’s feet, to listen to Him, and to let everything else find its proper place around that one purpose. The work of this world will eventually pass away, but the desire for God and the contemplation of Him will never be taken away.

Reflection by Br. Augustine Kroeze, OSB