July 17, 2016

16th Sun., Ordinary Time

July 17, 2016:  Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time



  • '3 stick figures' tie pin:  Abraham saw three men standing nearby (1st reading)
  • 'Precious feet' pin:  Mary sat at Jesus' feet (gospel); let water be brought so you may bathe your feet... (1st reading)
  • 'Tree' pin:  ...then rest under the tree. (1st reading)
  • 'Ruler' tie bar:  “Quick, three measures of flour!” (1st reading)
  • 'Cow' pin:  Abraham gave a choice steer to a servant to prepare; then got curds and milk... (1st reading) 
  • 'Scales' pin:  Justice-doers will lie in the Lord's presence (psalm)
  • ♥ tie bar:  Those who think the truth in their heart won't be disturbed (psalm)
  • 'Owl' pin:  We proclaim Christ, teaching with wisdom (2nd reading)
  • 'Food' tie:  Abraham prepared a meal for the Lord (1st reading); Martha was burdened with serving (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
Listen

For gospel
    • All are welcome/ Haugen (1st reading and homily too:  how do we welcome God?)
    For psalm
    For next Sunday
    Hospitality is a real Christian virtue, one the world sometimes neglects.  Martha and Mary offer Jesus their hospitality in different ways:  Martha busily preparing things while Mary listening to him.  Jesus reminds Martha that to welcome him only one thing is necessary, to listen to Jesus, show him a fraternal attitude, so he feels part of the family, not in a temporary shelter.
    Today many are in nursing homes and hospices where real hospitality isn't practiced.  It's harder now for foreigners and the marginalized to find someone to listen.  We're so taken up with the pace and problems of life that we don't listen to each other.  Dedicate more time to listening; the root of peace is the capacity to listen.
    Read

    • Gn 18:1-10a  The Lord appeared to Abraham, who saw three men and ran to greet them:  “Let me bring you water and food, that you may bathe, rest, and refresh yourselves.”  They replied, “Very well.”  He told Sarah, “Quick; make rolls.”  He gave a choice steer to a servant to prepare, then gave it all to them and waited on them.  One of them told him, “I'll return in about a year, and Sarah will then have a son.”
    • Ps 15:2-5  "He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.  You who walk blamelessly, think the truth, don't slander, don't harm or take up a reproach against others, and don't lend at usury or accept bribes shall never be disturbed.
    • Col 1:24-28  I rejoice in my sufferings and in my flesh am filling up what's lacking in Christ's afflictions on behalf of the church.  God chose to make his glory known to all.  We proclaim Christ, admonishing and teaching with wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in him.
    • Lk 10:38-42  Martha welcomed Jesus.  She, burdened with serving while her sister Mary sat beside him listening to him, said, “Don't you care that my sister has left me to serve by myself?  Tell her to help.” / “Martha, you're anxious and worried about many things, but only one is needed.  Mary has chosen the better part and it won't be taken from her.”
    Reflect

      • Creighton:  "The ultimate host":  How much time do we spend on our outward appearance and trying to please others, vs. conversing with Christ, deepening our relationship with him?  How are we balancing the needs of our faith with our emotional, physical, and social needs?  Are we more like Martha or Mary?
        Christus bei Maria und Martha
        Tintoretto
      • One Bread, One Body:  "M & M":  The Lord is not calling us to be Martha or Mary, but Martha and Mary.  We should imitate Abraham, Sarah, and Martha by making sacrifices in offering hospitality, and imitate Mary by sitting at the Lord's feet and listening to him.  Listening can be more challenging than hard work.  If we don't, we won't know what we're doing or why.  Once we hear God's word, we must do it....
      • Passionist:  Maybe we should see Mary and Martha as two essential dimensions of the Christian life to be balanced.  God must be the center of our lives; we need time for prayer, solitude, and contemplative listening to nurture our relationship with God and so must be like Mary.  But we also need to be Martha because friendship with God  opens up in love and service.  When we imitate the best of both women, we realize Jesus speaks to us both in prayer and in our neighbor.
      • DailyScripture.net:  "You're anxious, but only one thing is necessary":  Martha loved to serve, but in her anxious waiting on Jesus caused unrest, while Mary simply sat attentively at his feet.  Anxiety and preoccupation divert our attention from the Lord, who frees us from needless concerns.  Remember the Lord is also the guest of your home....
        • Bl. John Sugar, priest and martyr, and Robert Grissold, martyr.  Sugar on the scaffold:  “Be merry; it's an occasion of joy.  Though I'll have a sharp dinner, I trust in Christ that I'll have a sweet supper.”
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