“Lord, do you not care”

In this week's readings we hear a lot about service to God. In the first reading we hear about Abraham serving God who appears to him in the image of three men. Abraham says to them, "let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way." Through this hospitality to God in this way, Abraham receives the great announcement that his wife Sarah will have a son.

In the second reading we hear Paul say, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church..." In this, Paul is also speaking of the service he has given to God's Church, recognizing that in his service and the sufferings that come along with it he is participating in the very life of God. While it may be inconvenient and difficult for him, God is using this service to bring about good and amazing things.

Then, in the Gospel, we have the story of Martha and Mary. It begins with Martha serving Jesus' needs and showing him hospitality. However, in the midst of this she complains that her sister isn't helping, saying: "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." How many times have we been in the same situation, whether with God or with other people, where we feel like we are doing more than others and it isn't fair. 

Jesus' response to Martha is that Mary, who is sitting as his feet listening to him, has "chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." This is a reminder to us that our service to the Lord is not about counting the costs or building up some kind of "divine credit" so that we get ahead of others and are loved more by God than others around us. Our service to God, and also our neighbor, is meant to be purely about our devotion and love to Jesus Christ and to his Body, our brothers and sisters. Sure, it is a matter of justice that each does their part in the grand scheme of things. But, it is always possible that God has a different role or a "better part" that we cannot see.

So, let us pray today that our hearts may grow in love. May we be less about counting the costs and scoring higher than others, and more about devoting ourselves to God and to love of our neighbor in our own actions and ways. For Jesus himself tells us, "the measure with which you measure will in turn be measured out to you."

Want to prepare your heart and mind for Mass this weekend? Click here to find the readings this Sunday's Mass.