Homily for Tuesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

In today's familiar story, Martha works hard to prepare a meal for Jesus and His friends. When she questions whether Jesus cares that her sister Mary is not helping her, He declares that Mary has chosen the better part and will not be taken from her. That seems rather unjust to Martha.

Jesus supported hard work in the service of others. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, he praised the man's compassion when he helped a victim of robbers. However, as the book of Ecclesiastes says, "There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1)." We need to find the balance between being active and being reflective, and being open to hearing the Lord's voice.

Jesus saw His visit as a time for them to listen to what He had to say. Mary realized that this was what Jesus wanted on this occasion: to be listened to rather than being waited on. Mary was more attuned to what the Lord wanted than Martha. Wisdom consists in understanding when it's time to be active and busy in the Lord's service and when it is time to sit and listen to His Word.