Sunday 17th Reflection by Fr. Kenneth Akua

Dear friends, the story of our Lord Jesus Christ in the hospitable home of Martha and Mary beautifully illustrated in today's Gospel compliments the story of the good Samaritan which immediately precedes it as we heard last Sunday . These profound and soul– searching texts are unique to the evangelist, Luke. The story of the Samaritan opens with the words “ a certain man”. This man refers to the Samaritan similarly , today’s Gospel opens with the words  “ a certain woman” with reference to Mary, the sister of Martha.

In these scriptural passages, the Samaritan is an ideal example of how a disciple should see, think, judge and act. In a similar way, Mary is a model of how a disciple should listen, discern and choose what matters most in life. Both Mary and the Samaritan have many things in common. Mary, a poor woman, is a marginalized person and even considered worthless in society , like the good Samaritan.

Surprisingly, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and moved by love and compassion, do what is not expected of them, as a woman like in most cultures around the world and especially in Africa and in Cameroon in particular, Mary would be expected like her sister Martha , to prepare hospitality, an environment of welcome and to show love for a guest. This is another typical example where Jesus goes beyond the norms of his culture  by breaking with the social conventions of his time.

Just as a Samaritan would not be a model for neighborliness, so a woman would not sit with men around the feet of a teacher. Both stories affirm the fact that, love of God (Mary) and neighbor (the Samaritan) are the two essentials of life in the kingdom of God . To love God with all one’s heart and one’s neighbor requires a deep sense of flexibility and sometimes breaking some social and cultural boundaries. God first, neighbors next. The kingdom of God is a society without distinctions and boundaries between its members. Like the Samaritan, the sisters Martha and Mary had their own ideas about serving the lord, both sisters were curious and eager to give their best to God in two different ways, soon after, the arrival of Jesus, Martha went directly to the kitchen and horridly prepared a delicious meal for her August guest. She was nervous and unhappy because she was doing everything by herself  and thought her sister Mary should have assisted her. On the other hand, Mary was not concerned about the work in the kitchen. She sat at the feet of Jesus and listened attentively to his every word.

According to the tradition of the church coupled with the thoughts of many Biblical scholars, Martha represents the active apostolate, while Mary stands for the contemplative apostolate. Which of the two ways of life was accepted and approved by Jesus?

When Martha stepped in to complain that her sister was not helping her, Jesus gently reprimanded her “ Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things . There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her: Lk. 10:41-42. does this affirmation mean that Jesus regarded contemplative life as more important than the active life? Does this mean that contemplative and active life are not on the same pedestals? Does this implies that Jesus belittles apostolic life or activities? Definitely not.

The response to this questions isn’t affirmative because both ways of identifying oneself with Jesus are important. However, Jesus made sure that we set our priorities right: first things first, Jesus says that Mary has chosen the better part, not that Martha chose the wrong one. Rather, Mary had the right priority . God first in her life. God at the centre of everything in the life of Mary. She sat down with love and affection to listen with all her mind and heart to the words of the Lord. On the other hand, Martha was anxious and worried about many things without seeking the face and strength from the Lord. This reminds us of what the psalmist says “unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch” (Ps. 127,1)ultimately, it is God who makes our work fruitful and meaningful. We are powerless, helpless and lifeless if we are not connected to Jesus. May God give us the grace to be men and women of prayer and action.

Fr. Kenneth Akua , sm