Gn 18:1-10a
Ps 15 2-5
Col 10:24-28
Lk 10:38-42
Psalm 15, the responsorial psalm is so short that it was said in its entirety. It began with a question: Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain? that the psalmist then answered.
“The one who walks without fault; acts with justice
speaks the truth; and does not slander;
who does no wrong to his brother,
who casts no slur on his neighbor,
who holds the godless in disdain,
but honors those who fear the Lord”
The one who keeps a pledge,
who takes no interest on a loan
and accepts no bribes against the innocent.”
The psalmist then promises: “This one will stand firm forever.”
In his commentary on the psalms Jesuit Father Dick Clifford noted that Psalm 15 contains ten descriptions of the ideal worshipper, a top ten of behavior for all people whose wish their actions to reflect their faith. The challenges to reaching that goal are daunting. We don't always do justice. Gossip and idle chit-chat lead to slander without us noticing. Always think twice before responding
to a bit of news about someone with: “Well I heard.” It can get ugly fast.
We breathe easy at the proscription against lending money at interest because most of us don't do it. But, we create quid pro quo situations with others that may demand exorbitant interest that is not necessarily financial. “You owe me big time“ may require more blood, sweat, and tears than 12% interest on a loan.
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In The Analects Confucius, who lived 500 years before Jesus, also describes virtuous behavior. We read in Book XII Chapter II: "Chung-kung asked about perfect virtue. The Master said, "It is when you go abroad, to behave to every one as if you were receiving a great guest; to employ the people as if you were assisting at a great sacrifice; do not do to others as you would not wish done to yourself."
Chung-kung replied: "Though I am deficient in intelligence and vigor I will make it my business to practice this lesson."
I'd like sit down with Chung-kung over beer and pizza because, after hearing what perfect virtue entailed, he admitted, in effect, I am a sinner, but I will try. We have the same problem. We are deficient in knowing how to act. We are weak when confronted with non-virtuous but easier options.
When we compare the first reading with the Gospel it is apparent that Abraham’s behavior was much more virtuous than Martha’s. Abraham seems to have been
a master of understatement. "Let me bring you a little food that you may refresh yourselves."
A little food? Rolls. Beef. Curds and milk. It seems as if there was quite a bit of exertion put into preparing this little bit of food. And then he hovered over his guests, waiting on them, attending to their needs, until the meal was over. There was no complaint about how hard he was working, there was no whining about the cost, or anything else. Martha also worked hard, but with little virtue. The narrative is instructive even today.
Unlike Abraham, who was almost obsequious to his guests, Martha committed a serious violation of basic etiquette when she dragged a guest into her quarrel with her sister. Imagine telling a guest in your house" make that sister of mine get in here and help me instead of sitting around doing nothing." Imagine saying to a guest, "Maybe if you tell him that kid of mine will do something around here.
He sure doesn't listen to me, the lazy slug."
Embarrassed wouldn’t begin to describe the guest's feelings upon being exposed to such rudeness.
Attending to the comfort of one's guests and making them feel welcome defines hospitality. That is what Abraham did. That is what Martha failed to do.
Martha and Mary are not either/or: It is not the choice to serve at table or attend to the words of Jesus. We are to serve AND to hear the words of Jesus. We are called to prayer AND to work. Had Martha remained quiet—I suspect she was dropping plates and slamming cupboard doors more loudly than necessary—
she too could have heard Jesus’ words.
Given the reality of our daily lives we are called, to do both simultaneously most of the time. Our challenge is to be disposed so that we can hear Jesus and take in His teaching in the midst of our busy lives.
The motto of the Benedictine order is: “Ora et Labora” Work and prayer. Not work or prayer but work AND prayer. Labor and attending to Jesus' word at the same time.
It is not easy, but it is, like the admonitions in the psalm and the advice in The Analects, an ideal toward which we must strive,if we wish to stand firm forever
and live in the presence of the Lord.
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Posting early as it is going to be a very busy weekend with a lot of time behind the wheel. Two Masses in Worcester, one on Saturday at 4 and the other on Sunday at 7 PM with a Mass on Sunday morning in Framingham. The photos below are from the Church of St. Georges in Lyon, France. I was there for June and July 2014, arriving in N'Djamena, Chad on 30 July. The stained glass is beautiful with more yellows and warm colors than usual. St. Georges has (had?) an indult to celebrate the Tridentine Mass (Extraordinary form) exclusively. When the sun poured through the stained glass and hit the thick clouds of incense it was quite a visual impression. Did not shoot that. Unless asked or given permission I do not shoot during liturgy and, even when asked, not during the consecration. On those time I've been asked to shoot I gfenerallly do not receive communion as I am not participating in the Mass.
Fr. Jack, SJ, MD
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