"Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her."

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Genesis 18:1-10a

Yahweh appeared to Abraham

Near the oak 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 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 serving?”

 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.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

 Being at the Feet

Read:

Abraham plays host to the triune God. Paul speaks of the sufferings he has endured in order to preach the mystery of Christ. Jesus declares that being at his feet, listening to him is a higher vocation.

Reflect:

Bishop Pedro Casaldaliga was a fiery Claretian missionary bishop who cared for the indigenous people of Amazonian Brazil. When he died at the age of 92, the way his body was laid out in the casket was revealing: with naked feet and an open Bible kept just above them.

They summed up his life: the feet that walked the earth, fired by the Word of God. Those specialized in alternative medicine tell us that every part of our body is represented on our feet. The feet carry the footprint of one’s soul. The worship of the feet is a ritual in many cultures.

Mother Mary stood at the feet of the Crucified. Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. What can be a greater vocation than sit at the feet of Christ, lean on him, fix the gaze on his face, and listen to his word! Indeed both Mary chose the better part!

Pray:

Your prayer today is the act below.

Act:

Sit at the foot of the Cross, fix your gaze on the Crucified, and listen to him.