Readings:
Genesis 18, 1-10, Sara will then have a son.
Psalm 15, He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Colossians 1, 24-28, It is He whom we proclaim.
Luke 10, 38-42, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”
Bethany, Shonda, Wendy and Ray. Our Choir.
Introduction
As Abraham gives, showing hospitality to the strangers in our first reading from the Book of Genesis, Abraham receives. In like manner, Paul addresses the Colossians in our second reading to show mercy, kindness and pardon to others for they are Christ in the World.
Homily
When I would go on retreats with young people wanting to celebrate the Church’s sacrament of Confirmation they would receive a booklet with songs, prayers but also some blank pages. I would say to them, ‘You will always receive the desire of your heart,’ and I would ask them what they thought this meant.
It was not unusual to get a response like this, ‘The desire of my heart is to win the lottery; but since the odds of me doing that are slim to none, I do not believe that statement is true.’ ‘Before I give you an answer,’ I would say, ‘I want all of you to write down in your booklet what you would do if you actually won a lottery… say, a 100 million dollars.’
They were to take their time and not share with others what they had written. ‘What’s in your notebook is yours and yours alone today.’ When I perceived that they had all written enough, I would say, ‘What you have just written down is the desire of your heart! Wanting to win a lottery is not a desire of your heart, rather it is a desire of the flesh. I hope that all of you shared your desire to show goodness and justice; tenderness and compassion to those less fortunate than yourselves.’
To the degree we desire to give from our heart will be the degree to which we do give and receive. Life-giving relationships are precious! To the degree that we are in relationship with one another, we are in relationship with God. Those who welcomed the stranger and visited the sick are those who inherited the kingdom of God.
Often we informally invite others over to our home; other times we have a birthday or anniversary gathering. We have family and friends over for Thanksgiving, Easter or Christmas. But sometimes we might find ourselves getting caught up in all the details, decorations, and preparations, so much so that sometimes, when we don’t even expect it, you might hear or even say, ‘I’m glad that’s over and I won’t have to do that for another year.’
When that happens our priorities weren’t in the proper order. We forgot listening to, affirming, enjoying, and making friends. It happened to Martha in our reading from Luke today. Picture Jesus saying to her softly and in private, ‘Martha, Martha, you worry about many things, Mary has chosen the better portion and it shall not be taken from her.’
It wasn’t that Mary hadn’t been helping her. She had. But when Jesus came through the door that day, Mary made him the priority of her life. It was time to begin a lasting and loving relationship.
Martha’s priorities had been which tablecloth should she use, should we
eat at the table inside or outside, should I sweep the floor again, should I
put all of the food out at once. Would Jesus recognize that the vegetables were fresh?
These things had become more important to her than Jesus’ presence. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to his words that he wanted equally to share with Martha. We have come to sit at table with God and each other.
How have you been building relationships with one another since you entered here this morning. Take a moment to welcome someone near you
that you didn’t acknowledge and embrace when you arrived.
