＊＊＊1st Reading＊＊＊

Genesis 18:1-10a

Yahweh 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 her ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them. He bowed to the ground and said, “ My Lord, if 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, “ 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.” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.

 

＊＊＊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, and you may hope God’s 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 here.”

 

Reflection gospel：

READ: This episode in the book of Genesis shows Sarah secretly listening to the conversation of the three men and Abraham. Saint Paul writes to the Colossians of the ministry that was entrusted to him, that is “to make the word of God fully known.” The gospel reading narrates that Mary sat down listening to the words of Jesus.

REFLECT: In his visit to the house of Mary and Martha, Jesus is not very particular about the details of hospitality; he is more concern with the more important form of hospitality, a spiritual hospitality, namely: the listening to his words. we may also call it: the “hospitality of loving attention and listening” (Brendan Byrne). It is a deeper kind of hospitality, which Mary accorded to Jesus. It is the “only one thing” that Jesus has commended as something needed. Another thing that differentiates Mary from Martha is that she has recognized God’s visit through Jesus. This recognition prompted her to offer Jesus an open heart. For the poor and the vulnerable of our society, this is also the kind of hospitality that they can offer when the word of God’s is heard. It is spiritually the most necessary (R. T. France). With the hospitality of a attention and listening comes also the hospitality of trust.

PRAY: Lord, help us open our hearts to your word; may it bring life to our ailing spirit.

ACT: Ask God for the grace so that we can truly listen to his word and transform our lives.