Twenty-Seventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.

Martha and Mary welcome Jesus in different ways; Martha welcomes Jesus physically into her home, while Mary welcomes him spiritually into her heart. Martha tends to the outward needs of Jesus, while Mary opens her heart to be tended to by Jesus. Sometimes we can be so focused on serving others and providing for their physical well-being that we forget what really needs tending: the person’s spirit. If we feed a person’s body, but not their soul they may survive, but they will not thrive or truly live. It is good for us to take care of the needs of the poor and needy, but it is better to love God and to pay Him the attention He deserves. Of course, if we love God properly, then we will naturally come to know, love, and serve His children, but not with a focus only on the physical, but rather a focus on the entire person's body, mind, and soul.

Are we focused on material or spiritual things? How can we better concentrate on God and the spiritual needs of His children? Do we spend time each day listening at the feet of our Lord as Mary did?

O Lord, give us the patience to listen to your gospel and live it out.

Amen.