"Only one thing is needed." to sit at his feet and listen.

We need to take time to listen to the Lord in prayer,

Jesus is not saying that work is unimportant,

but that a relationship with him is the most important thing.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Genesis 18:1-10a

The Lord appeared to

Abraham near the oaks of Mamre. Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent, in the heat of the day,

when he looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them.

He bowed to the ground and said, "My Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass your servant by.

Let a little water be brought. Wash your feet and then rest under the trees.

 

I shall fetch some bread so that you can be refreshed and continue on your way, since you have come to your servant."

They then said, "Do as you say." Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said to her,

"Quick, take three measures of flour, knead it and make cakes."

Abraham then ran to the herd, took a fine, tender calf, gave it to the servant who hurried to prepare it.

 

He took butter and milk and together with the calf he had prepared laid it all before them.

And while he remained standing, they ate. They then asked, "Where is Sarah, your wife?" Abraham answered,

"She is in the tent." And the visitor said, "At this same time next year I will return and Sarah by then will have a son."

 

Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5 He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Colossians 1:24-28

At present, I rejoice when I suffer for you; I complete, in my own flesh, what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ,

for the sake of his body, which is the church.

For I am serving the church since God entrusted to me the ministry to make the word of God fully known.

 

I mean that mysterious plan that, for centuries and generations, remained secret, and which God has now revealed to his holy ones.

God willed to make known to them the riches, and even the glory, that his mysterious plan reserved for the pagan nations: Christ is in you, the hope for glory.

This Christ, we preach. We warn, and teach everyone true wisdom, aiming to make everyone perfect, in Christ.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Luke 10:38-42

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he entered a village, and a woman called Martha welcomed him to her house.

She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet to listen to his words. Martha, meanwhile, was busy with all the serving,

and finally she said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work? Tell her to help me!"

But the Lord answered, "Martha, Martha, you worry and are troubled about many things,

whereas only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her."

 

Lectio Divina

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Only one thing is needed."

 Read: Abraham and Sarah welcome the Lord in a visit from three men who, mysteriously, are one.

Martha and Mary welcome Christ into their home. Jesus teaches them that the most important thing is to listen to him.

 

Reflect: Hospitality is at the heart of today's readings.

Sarah and Abraham prepare a lavish meal for their guests,

and then they hear God's promise that, despite their old age, they will have a son.

Martha is frustrated by Mary's inactivity when Jesus visits,

since she has chosen to sit at the feet of Christ instead of preparing the meal.

 

Hospitality isn't just about the food and the preparations;

it's also about being with your guests and listening to them in friendship.

In that context we come to realize that God is with us and through

our guests we can hear God's promise of love.

Similarly, our lives should be more than constant activity.

We need to take time to listen to the Lord in prayer, so that we can be nourished by him.

 

 

Pray: Meditate on the Gospel passage, imagining that you are sitting at the feet of the Lord like Mary.

 

Act: When you have a meal with family or friends, acknowledge God's presence in your midst,

by giving thanks to him for the food and blessings you have received.