In today’s Gospel, Martha, busy serving and fretting, loses sight of just who it is she has welcomed into her home. In light of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival, I wish to explore a subtle connection between Luke 10:38-42 and the Eucharist — although when we come to Mass, it is Jesus welcoming us into His home! Many of us come to Mass so busy and distracted with many things that we halfheartedly go through the motions of Mass, forgetting Who we are so privileged to receive in the Eucharist.
Jesus has come to visit the family in Bethany and share fellowship and a meal. At Mass, we come to Jesus’ house to visit and, yes, share a meal. Gratefully, Jesus is never too busy to welcome us in! We, like Martha, may approach our visit with Jesus frenzied, anxious, and worried about many things—work, home, or family. Perhaps we, too, are aggravated with a loved one we think should be helping us out somehow.
Jesus’ words to Martha that “there is need of only one thing” should refocus our attention to what is truly important, especially as we prepare our hearts and minds for Jesus to “enter under our roof.” Like Mary, our eyes should remember Who is before us. Sitting at His feet fills us with all the blessings and graces necessary for whatever lies ahead. Whether we face days of strife, hardship, or smooth sailing, it is inconsequential if we’ve not made developing a relationship with Christ our number one priority.
I remember a time in my life when I attended Mass with more of a Martha than a Mary mindset. I would grab a bulletin on my way into the church. During the Mass readings, I would daydream, running the week’s chores and tasks through my mind. During the homily, I would doodle my to-do list in the margins of the bulletin. My mind would wander again during the Consecration, unaware of the supernatural, glorious, awe-inspiring event happening upon the altar before me. The moment heaven and earth mystically collide—the humble substance of bread and wine became an even more humble substance of my Lord and Savior. Then I complained that I never “get anything out of” Mass.
Of course, I didn’t. Like Martha, I’d let the world cloud my vision and keep me from the one thing needed—the better part. Praise God, like Mary, it was not to be taken from me. Eventually, as I learned more about the Catholic faith and the beauty and magnificence of the Sacred Liturgy, I allowed myself to be fully present for all Jesus had for me in those moments.
In the words of St. Paul, the better part exists in “the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones…” Most significantly, in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
En el Evangelio de hoy, Marta, ocupada sirviendo y preocupándose, pierde de vista a quién ha recibido en su casa. A la luz del Avivamiento Eucarístico Nacional de tres años, deseo explorar una conexión sutil entre Lucas 10,38-42 y la Eucaristía, aunque cuando venimos a Misa, ¡es Jesús quien nos da la bienvenida a Su hogar! Muchos de nosotros venimos a Misa tan ocupados y distraídos con muchas cosas que vivimos la Misa por inercia y sin entusiasmo, olvidando a Quién tenemos el privilegio de recibir en la Eucaristía.
Jesús ha venido a visitar a la familia en Betania para convivir y compartir una comida. En la Misa, venimos a la casa de Jesús para visitarlo y, sí, compartir una comida. Afortunadamente, ¡Jesús nunca está demasiado ocupado para recibirnos! Nosotros, como Marta, podemos acercarnos a la visita con Jesús frenéticos, ansiosos y preocupados por muchas cosas: el trabajo, el hogar o la familia. Tal vez nosotros también estemos molestos con un ser querido que pensamos que debería ayudarnos de alguna forma.
Las palabras de Jesús a Marta de que “una sola [cosa] es necesaria” deberían volver a centrar nuestra atención en lo que es verdaderamente importante, especialmente mientras preparamos el corazón y la mentes para que Jesús “entre en mi casa”. Como María, nuestros ojos deben recordar Quién está delante de nosotros. Sentarnos a Sus pies nos llena de todas las bendiciones y gracias necesarias para lo que nos espera. Ya sea que enfrentemos días de lucha, dificultades o navegamos todo tranquilamente, nada importa más que hacer del desarrollo de una relación con Cristo nuestra prioridad número uno.
Recuerdo una época de mi vida en la que asistía a Misa con una mentalidad más de Marta que de María. Agarraba un boletín entrando a la iglesia. Durante las lecturas de la Misa, me dejaba pensar en mil cosas, repasando mentalmente las tareas y los quehaceres de la semana. Durante la homilía, garabateaba mi lista de cosas por hacer en los márgenes del boletín. Mi mente volvía a divagar durante la Consagración, sin darme cuenta del acontecimiento sobrenatural, glorioso e imponente que estaba sucediendo en el altar frente a mí. En el momento en que el cielo y la tierra chocan místicamente, la humilde sustancia del pan y el vino se convirtió en una sustancia aún más humilde de mi Señor y Salvador. Y luego me quejaba de que nunca “sacaba ningún provecho” de la Misa.
Por supuesto que no iba a sacar provecho. Como Marta, dejaba que el mundo nublara mi visión y me impidiera obtener lo único que necesitaba: la mejor parte. Alabado sea Dios, como María, nadie me la iba a quitar. Poco a poco, a medida que iba aprendiendo más sobre la fe católica y la belleza y magnificencia de la Sagrada Liturgia, me permití estar completamente presente para todo lo que Jesús tenía para mí en esos momentos.
En las palabras de San Pablo, la mejor parte existe en “el misterio escondido desde los siglos y generaciones pasadas, pero que ahora ha sido manifestado a sus santos…” Más significativamente, en la Presencia Verdadera de Jesucristo en la Eucaristía.
Allison Gingras (www.ReconciledToYou.com ) shares an everyday Catholic faith with humor and honesty. Her writing includes The Handy Little Guide to Novenas (OSV), Encountering Signs of Faith (Ave Maria Press), and the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women (Our Sunday Visitor), with a new edition “Jesus Heals,” coming in 2025. Allison is the Director of Digital Evangelization for Family Rosary USA.Feature Image Credit: Anncapictures, pixabay.com/photos/laptop-mouse-note-notebook-1385700/
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