Choosing The Good Part

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

July 17, 2022

in Spritual Growth

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6th Sunday of Ordinary Time:
Readings: Genesis 18: 1-10a
Colossians 1:21-29
Luke 10: 38-42

The Gospel today could be misinterpreted in many ways and therefore, we need the Holy Spirit to open our hearts of understanding. Luke had a different style of writing, was not as detailed as Matthew, Mark and especially John, but there is a powerful message here in the Gospel.

It is approximately six days before the Passover. Jesus was traveling and had stopped at the house of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Martha was a good housekeeper. She was proficient in entertaining visitors. So, we find her busy in the kitchen preparing food for Jesus and his entourage. She wanted to make sure there were many different dishes so her guests would be full. Jesus was not alone but had a big group of travelers with Him. While Martha was busy working in the kitchen, Mary, on the other hand was sitting by the feet of Jesus and listening to Him. Martha was working by herself and got irritated that Mary wasn’t helping her. Being very upset, she went to Jesus and said, “Lord! Do you not care that I’m working all by myself and Mary’s just sitting and not doing anything?” Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only a few things are necessary. Really, only one thing is necessary, and Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

In our lives today, we are so busy with many things. What are our priorities? For us, our priorities are our possessions. But what does Jesus mean when He said only one thing is necessary? He was referring to a relationship with Him. The world has presented us many things which take away our attention on God. Do we set aside time for Him? And yet we wonder why things are happening the way they are? God has brought us new life. We must be prepared for what He is giving to us. Mary took a pound of ointment and washed Jesus’ feet with this. She was so grateful with what God had done in their lives. Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and His many favors upon the family. Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God.” Colossians 3:1 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 2:9 “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” These should be our priorities. We should have praise and thanksgiving in our hearts to God. Blessed are those who thirst for righteousness.

The story of Mary and Martha’s message is for us to evaluate our lives. Are we so busy with our activities that we don’t have time for God? Unfortunately, in the world today, many rich couples are not happy and do not really have a good relationship with each other. Anytime we focus on getting rich and having possessions, and if we do not seek God, we will not be at peace or be truly happy. Only one thing is necessary – relationship. Relationship means unity with Christ. We need to stop and say, “thank you, Lord.” When we have a good night’s sleep, are we thankful? Mary was so grateful that Lazarus was raised from the dead. She wanted to seek Christ more. God will fulfill what He has spoken. We are taught by Christ to focus on the one thing needed in our lives – a relationship with Him.