Pastor's Letter

At the Feet of Jesus 

My mom always gets frustrated when she hears today’s gospel passage about the two sisters, Mary and Martha.  My mom is a “Martha”—she loves hospitality, entertaining, and taking care of guests who come over for dinner.
 
That’s why, when Jesus seems to side with Mary and excuse her from helping her sister, my mom doesn’t understand.  What’s wrong with helping people out?  Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do as Christians?  Why does Jesus seem to come down on Martha?
 
After all, in the first reading, we see how God rewards Sarah and Abraham for their hospitality to the three visitors who turn out to be angels.  They entertain the visitors and show them incredible hospitality way before they discover who they’re being generous toward.  In other words, their kindness is driven from who they are—not motivated by interior greed to only help those in a position to help them in return.
 
Jesus isn’t diminishing Martha’s incredible kindness in helping get the meal on the table., but he is defending Mary’s desire to sit at his feet and listen.  “Sitting at the feet” of Jesus is code for learning from the teacher.  Mary was deepening her sense of what it means to be a disciple and to take to heart what it is God wants us to know.  So for Mary, she was choosing the better part at that time.  It was a good use of time, not an act of laziness or defiance toward her sister.
 
And during a time, and in a culture where women weren’t privy to listening to a rabbi teach, it was a radical desire of Jesus’ to show the dignity of every human person. 
 
The better part is to follow that instinct when it comes within to learn more about Jesus and being a disciple.  And, it’s good to empower the other people we’re close to in life to discover it, too.  (I’ll have to send this article to my mom to see whether or not she’s convinced!) 

Welcome Sister Angela!

Speaking of hospitality, this weekend we welcome Sr. Angela Omoareghan of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus at all the Masses. Sr. Angela will share her experiences of working with God’s people in isolated and disadvantaged villages in Africa to bring the presence of Christ to those eager to receive Him.   Sister Angela is both a doer, like Martha in today’s Gospel, and a listener like Mary. 
 
Missionaries are typically both, because what drives many religious to do the work they do is an interior life that’s fed by their love for Christ. They’re able to see the face of Christ in those they are helping.
 
Please join me in welcoming Sr. Angela.  The second collection this weekend will benefit her congregation and the Missionary efforts of the Church.  Click here to learn more about the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
 
May God continue to bless you as we head into the heart of summer. Keep cool, keep praying, and keep bringing the heart of Christ to those in your life,