(Genesis 18:1-10a; Psalm 15; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42)

Last week in our Gospel we were taught to treat a stranger as a neighbour, ensuring their needs are met. Jesus did this through the parable of the Good Samaritan. This week, in the passage which immediately follows last week’s Gospel, we have Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is diligently looking after the needs of her visitors; Mary prefers to spend time with Jesus. Remembering that hospitality is not just about serving but also involves spending time with a guest, they were both being hospitable, just in different ways.

How easy it can be to fall into the trap of being busy, or of being too busy to miss important events going on around us. I can relate to this. Many years ago, as a young dad, I saw my main role as a provider. I volunteered for any overtime going at work, including Sundays. I would often seek out additional shifts in areas unrelated to my work and spend even more time away from my family. The result of this was missing some quality time with my family and missing out on the opportunity to be a good role model and take my children to church.

As Martha proves, even when you are serving the Lord you can miss out on what is really important. For me this is a Gospel which I can visualise. Mary sitting listening to Jesus and Martha rushing around, fussing and fretting. Martha eventually complains to Jesus, expecting him to encourage her sister to help her. Martha’s judgement of her sister is that she has abandoned her, perhaps accusing her of being lazy or at the very least inattentive to the work which she believes needs to be done. Jesus gently and lovingly rebukes her, note how He says her name twice, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’ Jesus wants us to spend time with Him; He doesn’t want us to be anxious or troubled. He wants us to give the best of ourselves, not the bit that is left over when we have done all the things we choose to do before spending time with Him.

Think back to the last week, have you chosen to be like Martha or Mary?

Do you put God first or do you choose to do other things before spending time with Him?

How might your choices change in the week ahead, having heard these readings today?

These readings were the readings used for the Mass when I was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate. For me, they speak of hospitality, ministry and service; with the added dimension of staying close to God. In the first reading Abraham provides hospitality and ensures his visitors are well looked after, he is also engaged in conversation with his ‘visitors’ and is able to hear the promise made to him and accepts the promise. In the second reading St Paul talks about the responsibility he has as a minister of the Church, of which he highlights ‘making the word of God fully known’, and in the Gospel, we have the conflict between two sisters one of whom serves and the other who basks in the presence of Christ.

For me these three readings highlight the life of a Permanent Deacon. We are called to be a deacon of the altar, a deacon of the Word and a deacon of charity. Like Abraham, we are close to the table [in our case the altar] as God becomes present. Like Paul, we are called to proclaim the Word of God to those we meet and in Martha, we are called to serve those in need and like Mary; we must ensure that the reason we do all this is to be close to Jesus, to form a relationship with Him and to listen when He speaks so that we have the Spiritual energy to serve in the way He has called us.

One last observation to share with you. I was at the St Bede’s Leavers Mass on Friday; a Mass I always find emotional. The first Mass after my ordination and my first Mass as a deacon at St Bede’s was the school leavers Mass. During this particular Mass on Friday, they played the hymn On Eagles Wings. I was reminded of one of my ordination gifts from a very dear couple; one of whom has now gone to the Lord. I know I can’t do what I do without being raised on eagles’ wings, my thoughts during the Mass reminded me of that couple and all of the others who have supported me during formation and since I was ordained.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 2571: Abraham’s hospitality
CCC 2241: welcome the stranger
CCC 2709-2719: contemplation
CCC 618, 1508: sharing in Christ’s sufferings for his Body
CCC 568, 772: “the hope of glory” in the Church and in her sacraments

Please keep in your prayers this week

  • Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
  • Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
  • Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
  • Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
  • All the clergy in our diocese who have agreed to take up new responsibilities from September onwards and those still discerning.
  • For the families due to complete the Baptism preparations sessions this weekend.
  • For the ongoing success of the Alpha programme
  • Ryan Brown due to be ordained to the priesthood this weekend Emmanuel Chitu & Richard Martin due to be ordained to the permanent diaconate next weekend

Deacon Tony

18th July 2025.