Readings: Genesis 18: 1-10; Psalm 15; Colossians 1: 24-28; Luke 10: 38-42
Grace and peace to you, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord. Today, is the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Let us begin our reflection with the First Reading from Genesis. Abraham was a wealthy man – yes-but also a man burdened with waiting, longing, and not-yet-fulfilled hope. In those days, childlessness brought public shame and personal heartbreak. Yet, Abraham chose not to let what he lacked define who he was.
Instead of retreating into bitterness, he remained hospitable, open-hearted, and attentive. When he saw three divine visitors passing by, he didn’t close his doors in indifference or misery; he opened them in kindness. And it was in that act of welcome that God’s blessing arrived.
We may pause here and ask:
What have we allowed our disappointments or challenging situation to turn us into?
Bitter or better?
Closed or open to love, kindness and mercy?
The First Reading challenges us to practice hospitality (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2), but above all, it teaches us not to allow whatever we go through to rob us of any opportunity to sow love and practice kindness.
In the Second Reading, St. Paul makes an astonishing statement:
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake.” (Colossians 1:24)
How can one rejoice in suffering?
Paul doesn’t deny pain; he just refuses to let it rob him of meaning or joy. Many today, overwhelmed by trials, become angry, distant, or destructive, trapped in cycles of anger, misery, fear or addiction. But Paul shows us another way: a way of surrender which comes from a proper understanding of the spiritual value of suffering, uniting our suffering with Christ’ and resting in Him. In this way, our pain becomes a path to glory and service.
Am I using my pain to grow closer to God and others, or am I letting it isolate or defeat me?
Today’s Gospel brings everything into focus.
Jesus enters a village, Bethany, as other Gospel accounts suggest, where Martha welcomes Him into her home. This already shows Martha’s generosity and openness. Hospitality was a deeply important Jewish value.
Martha is “burdened with much serving.” The Greek word used, diakonia, is where we get the word “deacon”- service. Her actions are good, but they have become distracting and anxious.
Mary sits at Jesus’ feet. This was the traditional posture of a disciple, learning from a rabbi.
Martha complains but Jesus gently reminds her:
“Martha, Martha…” – A gentle but firm repetition, showing affection and concern.
“…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.”
This is more than a comment about chores. It is a diagnosis of the soul. Jesus knew Martha’s attitude and temperament, just as He knows ours. Martha’s issue isn’t just her work; she was stressed, frustrated, anxious and distracted.
Do we also often get stressed, frustrated and angry? Perhaps as parents, in the home, in our places of work, in the Church and maybe even in our service to God and humanity?
Perhaps we are anxious about many things: money, children, health, success, failure, the past, the future.
Jesus tells us today, there is one thing that is necessary, namely to sit at His feet, daily, lovingly, humbly, allowing Him to calm, strengthen, empower, comfort, instruct, enlighten, revive, restore, renew and direct us.
This passage isn’t saying we must choose between being Martha or Mary. We need both:
Like Martha: a spirit of service and responsibility.
Like Mary: a heart of contemplation.
But if we lose our connection to Christ, even our service becomes anxious, resentful, or empty. This is why being with Him comes before doing for Him.
Let us ask ourselves these questions:
Am I rooted in prayer, or just running on fumes?
Is my service flowing from time spent with the Lord?
Have I neglected what is important, especially while chasing many things?
Have I been too busy for God, too burdened to listen, too distracted to rest in His presence?
Conclusion
When we sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary, perspective returns. The problems may still be there, but we are no longer the same. Even in winter seasons, we develop a summer spirit because our warmth comes from His presence.
Dear friends, Jesus is inviting us today not into passivity, but into presence, not into idleness, but into intimacy. When we learn to sit at His feet, we learn how to rise and serve with peace, grace, and purpose
Like Abraham, may we not let what is missing rob us of what we can still give – kindness, generosity, love, mercy, openness.
Like Paul, may we see suffering not as a curse, but as a place where God can do deep work in us and as an opportunity of grace.
Like Mary, may we find the courage to slow down, be still, and choose the “better part”- time at the feet of our Lord.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus, teach me to slow down and choose the better part. Help me to sit at Your feet and listen, so that when I rise to serve, I do so with peace, not anxiety; with love, not pressure. May my life be a balance of prayer and service, rooted in You.
Let me not be consumed by what I lack, but be renewed by your presence. Give me the grace to be kind, the strength to endure, and the humility to rest in You.
Amen.
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami, July 20, 2025