July 18, 2010

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Genesis 19:1-10A; Colossians 1:24-28;
Luke10:38-42

Reflection by Lois Curry, OP

What is the desire of your heart?
How is God struggling to answer it
and to reveal a word about life to you?

     In both Genesis and Luke God has a very important message to the central person.

     In Genesis, Abraham is sitting watching the road. He sees three travelers and in the typical Middle Eastern way, he invites them to stay.  He does not realize that God has sent them. God plans to reward both Abraham and Sarah’s hospitality in a way that they could never imagine.  At the end of the stay, one traveler tells Abraham that at this time next year Sarah will have a child.  How do you suppose they responded?

     In Luke we have  another hospitality scenario.  Martha has the desire to welcome Jesus through hospitality while her sister, Mary, welcomes him by listening.  Both were good desires/works of love.  Then Martha comes to Jesus with a question.  “Lord, do you not see that my sister has left me to do all the serving.” Jesus does not tell Mary to serve. Instead he redirects Martha’s question to look at her desire/motives. “Martha, Martha you are anxious about many things. There is need of only one thing.  Mary has chosen the better part. It shall not be taken from her.” What do you think Martha heard? Did she continue with her gift because she could now do it alone with love? 

• What word do you feel you need to hear, here and now?

• Are  you open to God’s ways of sending it?

• Are you anxious or peaceful as you wait?

This week let the readings take you to the Spirit’s place.
As you listen to the prayer after the Our Father at Eucharist,
where is your heart?

DELIVER US FROM EVIL…
GRANT US PEACE IN OUR DAY...
PROTECT US FROM ANXIETY
AS WE WAIT IN JOYFUL HOPE
FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS
OR OUR WORD.

To read Gospel reflections from previous weeks,
contact us at dominicans@caldwellop.org