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Saturday, July 26, 2025

The One Necessary Thing (Mary and Martha)

 

Homily on Luke 10:38-42

Theme: “The One Thing Necessary”

Today’s Gospel brings us into a simple but deeply meaningful scene in the home of Martha and Mary—two sisters who receive Jesus as a guest.

And yet, this brief passage challenges us with a profound spiritual question: Are we choosing the better part?

Let us listen again to the heart of the story.

Jesus enters the village, and Martha welcomes Him into her home.

Immediately, she busies herself with all the preparations—probably cooking, cleaning, ensuring that everything is in order.

Meanwhile, Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words.

Eventually, Martha becomes frustrated.

She turns to Jesus and says, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

And Jesus answers with gentleness but clarity:
“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.”

Let’s pause here.

Jesus is not criticizing Martha’s hospitality.

In fact, in many ways, she is doing something good—serving the Lord, taking care of others.

Her service is not the problem.

What Jesus is pointing out is that her heart is anxious, divided, distracted.

She is doing the right thing outwardly, but inwardly she is not at peace.

1. The Balance of Action and Contemplation

In the Catholic tradition, we often speak of two modes of discipleship: the active and the contemplative.

Martha represents the active life—serving, ministering, doing.

Mary represents the contemplative life—listening, praying, resting in God’s presence.

But it would be a mistake to think that Jesus is telling us to choose only one or the other.

The truth is, we need both.

The saints understood this well.

Think of St. Benedict, who gave us the rule “Ora et labora” — “Pray and work.”

Think of St. Teresa of Calcutta, who spent hours in prayer each morning before going out to serve the poorest of the poor.

Even Jesus Himself often withdrew from the crowds to pray to the Father, before going out to teach and heal.

The problem is not that Martha is serving.

The problem is that she forgot to sit at the feet of Jesus first.

And because of that, her service became filled with anxiety, comparison, and even resentment.

How often does that happen to us?

2. Distraction and Anxiety in Our Lives

We live in a world that constantly rewards busyness.

How often do we hear people say, “I’m just so busy,” as if it’s a badge of honor?

But busyness is not the same as holiness.

Activity is not the same as fruitfulness.

Sometimes, in our desire to serve or to achieve, we lose sight of the Lord Himself.

Jesus says, “You are worried and anxious about many things.”

That could be said of so many of us.

We worry about work, about family, about money, about health.

We even worry about our ministries in the Church.

But Jesus invites us to something deeper: resting in His presence, receiving His Word, letting Him be our peace.

This Gospel reminds us that prayer is not a luxury—it is the one thing necessary.

Without it, everything else becomes shallow and strained.

With it, even our smallest acts of service become filled with love and meaning.

3. Choosing the Better Part

So what does it mean to “choose the better part,” as Mary did?

It means making space in our lives for silence and prayer.

It means reading Scripture—not just for information, but for transformation.

It means coming to Mass not just out of obligation, but with hearts open to receive.

It means adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, listening to Him speak in the depths of our hearts.

Mary chose the better part because she made time to be with Jesus, to sit at His feet and let His words shape her soul.

Let’s not misunderstand: the goal is not to stop serving.

But rather, to make sure our service flows from a deep relationship with Christ.

4. Practical Applications

Let me offer just a few simple suggestions, ways we can imitate Mary in our daily lives:

  • Begin your day with prayer. Even five or ten minutes of quiet before the Lord can change the tone of your whole day.
  • Read a passage of Scripture each day, especially from the Gospels. Let Jesus speak to you.
  • Visit the Blessed Sacrament. take advantage of that treasure.
  • Pray the Rosary, especially when you feel anxious or distracted. Our Blessed Mother will help you sit at the feet of her Son.

5. Closing Encouragement

Brothers and sisters, Jesus is not far from us.

He wants to visit us, to dwell in our homes, to speak to our hearts.

But we must make the time and space to receive Him.

So, let us ask ourselves honestly: Am I more like Martha—anxious and busy, even with good things?

Or am I striving to be like Mary, sitting quietly with Jesus, choosing the better part?

Let us ask for the grace to do both: to serve like Martha, but first to pray like Mary.

Then our hearts will be at peace, and our lives will truly reflect the love of Christ.

Amen.

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