By Fr. Andrew Kelly
16TH SUNDAY ORDINAL TIME – JULY 21
The believing community is finding itself really stressed. Factions are constantly fighting each other. Sheer boredom and apathy are quickly replacing enthusiasm when it comes to community life and mission.
Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 10:28-42) just may have an insight into why problems are threatening the very core of the community.
Could the fundamental problem be the distance the community has moved away from Jesus’ feet where Mary sat and listened?
Has the community forgotten that the risen Jesus is the Sunday guest in the community’s house, and its primary task is to pay attention to Jesus’ person by listening silently and attentively as Jesus speaks to the community in the proclaimed Scriptures?
Jesus gently reminds both Martha and the community that maybe the time has come to move back closer to Jesus’ feet and simply sit silently listening. It may not solve problems, but it might do wonders in creating a much more prayerful, peaceful and stress-free atmosphere within the community.
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)
Scripture Readings for July 14-21
Sunday
Dt 30:10-14
Col 1:15-20
Lk 10:25-37
Monday
Ex 1:8-14, 22
Mt 10:34—11:1
Tuesday
Ex 2:1-15a
Mt 11:20-24
Wednesday
Ex 3:1-6, 9-12
Mt 11:25-27
Thursday
Ex 3:13-20
Mt 11:28-30
Friday
Ex 11:10—12:14
Mt 12:1-8
Saturday
Ex 12:37-42
Mt 12:14-21
Sunday
Gn 18:1-10a
Col 1:24-28
Lk 10:38-42
