Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection October 08, 2024
Twenty-Seventh Week of Ordinary Time
08th October 2024 (Tuesday)
Psalter: Week 3
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Galatians 1:13-24
Brethren: You have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.
Psalm 139:1-3, 13-14, 15 (R. 24b)
R/. Lead me, Lord, in the way everlasting.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42
At that time: Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “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.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Tuesday – Twenty-Seventh Week of Ordinary Time
Guidelines: The life of many becomes insipid and full of tension because there is no proper coordination and integration among the various aspects of life
1. The gospel presents before us the story of two sisters of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, a family of Bethany, very close to Jesus. Usually, this episode is used to speak of the importance and priority of prayer. That is very true. No work, even the best, can substitute prayer. No one can neglect or give up spiritual duties under the pretext of work.
2. Jesus rebukes Martha, saying, “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.”
3. Clearly, this is a caution for all of us that prayer should be our priority and it should not be sidelined or relegated in preference to some work. The rebuke of Martha by Jesus need not be taken as something personal, directed only to her. Rather it is a warning and admonition to anyone who is tempted to neglect personal intimacy with Jesus in the face of some activity.
4. But here we can focus on the attitude of Martha in that context. If she did not go to the Lord and complained against her sister Mary, perhaps she would have not received that rebuke. She feels so self-righteous. She feels that only she is doing the right thing and Mary is doing the wrong thing. Or at least she feels that she is doing a better thing and her sister, a less good thing.
5. This is a misguided notion of self-righteousness. This is widely prevalent in every circle of life, be it the political, the economic, or the religious as well. A corrupt politician will accuse others of corruption. A deceptive businessman condemns cheating and manipulation. An inauthentic and dishonest religious and spiritual person will criticize heavily about the loss of integrity.
6. All this kind of double standards is because of the deeper spirit of self-pride of rating themselves better and greater than others. They look down upon others, complain against others, and dictate to others what they should do. They lack the sense of self-awareness and clarity of priorities.
Practice: Sitting at the feet of the Lord and listening to him is the portion of life that is indispensable. This cannot be taken away for the sake of anything else
