My God is my protector and supporter; the Lord sustains my life. I offer you my sacrifice with all my heart and with great joy (Psalm 53:6, 8).

 

My God is my protector and supporter; the Lord sustains my life. I offer you my sacrifice with all my heart and with great joy (Psalm 53:6, 8).

Welcome by God into his home, we are invited to sit at Jesus' feet to listen to him and participate in the banquet he offers us. The liturgy encourages us to have the readiness of Abraham and Sarah, the hospitable heart of Mary, and the dedication of Martha, important attitudes in the Christian life. Let us joyfully celebrate the Lord Jesus, present among us with his gifts and teachings.

First Reading: Genesis 18:1-10

God reveals himself in every gesture of welcome and hospitality we practice. His Word shows us the good choices we can make to live in harmony with Christ.

Reading from the Book of Genesis – In those days, the Lord appeared to Abraham by the terebinth tree of Mamre, as he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran to meet them and bowed down. 3 He said, “My lord, if I have won your favor, please do not continue your journey without stopping with me, your servant. 4 I will send for some water to wash your feet, and you can rest under the tree. 5 I will serve you some bread to refresh yourselves before you continue on your journey. For that is why you came to your servant.” They replied, “Do as you said.” 6 Abraham went straight into the tent to Sarah and said to her, “Quickly, take three seahs of fine flour, knead some bread, and bake it.” 7 Then Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, one of the tenderest and best, and gave it to a servant to prepare it immediately. 8Then he went and got curds, milk, and the roasted calf and set them before them. But Abraham stood with them under the tree while they ate. 9They asked him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” “She is in the tent,” he answered. 10One of them said, “I will certainly return about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” – The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: 14(15)

Lord, who will dwell in your house?

1. He who walks without sin / and faithfully practices righteousness; / who thinks the truth in his heart / and does not slander his tongue. – R.

2. Who does not wrong his brother / nor insult his neighbor; / who does not value the wicked, / but honors those who fear the Lord. – R.

3. He does not lend his money at interest, † nor take a bribe against the innocent. / He who lives like this will never waver! – R.

Second Reading: Colossians 1:24-28

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians – Brothers and sisters, 24I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and I am completing in my own flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions, in solidarity with his body, that is, the church. 25I serve her, fulfilling the task God has given me, to deliver to you the fullness of the word of God—26the mystery hidden for ages and generations, but now revealed to his holy ones. 27To them God chose to make known among the nations the riches of this mystery, the presence of Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28We proclaim him, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that everyone may be fully united in Christ. – Word of the Lord.

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are those who keep the word of the Lord with an upright heart / and who bear much fruit, persevering to the end! (Luke 8:15) – R.

At that time, 38Jesus entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But Martha was busy with much work. She came to him and said, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about many things. 42But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her.” – Word of salvation.

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus is welcomed into the home of his friends Martha and Mary. Martha welcomes the Lord with great affection and is concerned with serving him, a woman's duty in Jewish culture. Mary listens to the Master's word, something that was the responsibility of men. Each of them relates to him differently: serving him or listening to him. Two complementary ways, one does not exclude the other. Each embodies a way of relating to the Risen One. Martha expresses the joy of the Master's presence by serving him. Mary's attitude breaks the system of the time: a woman was not allowed to “stand at the feet” of a master to listen and learn. Jesus breaks the prejudice against women: he accepts Mary at his feet. Listening to God's Word doesn't distract people from action, but rather gives new meaning to action. Welcoming the Word (contemplation) is the way to put it into practice.