Sermon Thoughts – 16th Sunday in Ordinary time C – (LK 10, 38-42)

Sermon Thoughts – 16th Sunday in Ordinary time C – (LK 10, 38-42)
Martha and Maria – The Gospel narrates two figures from Jesus’ life. But some meditation on these figures will prove that they are also some characters in our lives, we come across with. These two women stand for ‘Useful and Essential’ matters of the daily life.
The context is very emotional and exceptional for the family. It is Jesus who visits them; the famous young man who speaks about God, in a very attractive manner; who heals the sick and even has power to give life to the dead. This visit is certainly special for them.
The sisters welcome him in a good manner. Even Martha was good in her behaviour. But the human pride and dissatisfaction towards her sister emerges in her.
She says: “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”
That means Martha is criticising Jesus first: “.Lord, do you not care?” – Really a childish reaction from her side. Jesus never asked Martha to prepare a great table for him. Food and drink attracted him less. Rather the hearts of the people was his goal. He gained it in Maria, by listening to him.
Then her complaint is against her own sister. She has left “me by myself”. What is the matter with Martha? She wants to say that “it is ‘Me’, who works. I am better than Maria?”. May be…We don’t know…
But Jesus says one thing is necessary.
Be satisfied in life – with others and self.
Maria is in this disposition – she is happy with the presence and the words of Jesus Christ. Jesus is also satisfied, as he has someone near by to listen to him.
The content Martha turns to be discontented and it destroys the total atmosphere of his visit…
Martha can be very easily replaced with some people around us…they are moved by the self esteem. They like to hear compliments and appreciations for each and every activity. Lack of it may disturb them.
Jesus never degrades work. He was also a worker. Here, in this family, Jesus wants from Martha to be a good host. A good host never criticize its guest. A good host provides best reception, best food & drink and best atmosphere.
Martha proved at least in this time she couldn’t accomplish the duty of a good host. She was also unhappy with her happy host and sister. And the criticism of Jesus is against it.
Jesus asks to do one’s duty in its best level. This is his wish not only for Martha, but to the whole world.
Let us work without mutter and complaint. It will give us healthy mind and a healthy world. Let us remain satisfied in the presence of God. Amen.
–
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon Thoughts – 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C (Lk 10, 25-37)

Sermon Thoughts – 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – C (Lk 10, 25-37)

Once, as I was in a Parish, a mother came to me. She complained about her child who was very mischievous. I was asked to pray for him and bless him. During our talk I realized, that the boy’s problem was something complex. He learned many of his habits from his parents. Still they wanted their child a better one. The parents, refused their faults at first, and then began to admit them slowly. My advice was to correct them, at first.
Just like these parents, we are all having utopian ideas. How many research works are there in the book shelves of several libraries resting in dust? How many theories are there in our world, suggesting tricks and tips for universal peace and humanity? Still we cannot manage that. Our words are not corresponding to our actions in many cases. We have plenty of theories. Our world is severely in need of action.
The Gospel passage of this Sunday concentrates mainly on the need of “corresponding action”. The question of the scholar to Jesus contains “what I must do…” And the reply of Jesus contains twice “do”; “do this, do likewise”. There are enough guidelines already given. Act like that.
Surely we are all in action; may be more than any other time-period. But most of the time we act according to our tastes; our will. Our actions are lacking the Divine will. We pray daily, in ‘our father’, “your will be done”! But most of the time, we submit our need to God and compel God to enact according to our needs. God must accept our will as his Will. Otherwise, we will discard our faith; we will criticize him…
The Priest and the Levite had so many rituals and laws regarding cleanliness. Touching blood or dead body will make them unclean. The Samaritan traveller had some advantages, comparing to the Priest and Levite. He too had his rituals and laws as other two. But he was in a way free to handle, I suppose.
Jesus is teaching to get in this freedom. He expresses it in other time “Sabbath is for people, people are not for Sabbath”. The meaning is same: law must help humanity. It must not restrict us from good works. “Love Lord your God, with whole heart” the exhortation of Mose to Israel is only complete when it is expressed; when it comes in to action. How can I express my love to God; not only in offerings and prayers but also through human dealings.
In the time of Jesus, the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was notorious for its danger and difficulty, and was known as the “Way of Blood” because “of the blood which is often shed there by robbers”. The places “Jerusalem” and “Jericho” are having another meaning too. Jerusalem represents Divinity, while Jericho represents, World. The man being attacked travelled in this route. We can also interpret; this man had a Wrong direction. He travelled from the divinity to the worldliness…
We may be able to see many people, who have lost their orientation in their life; who are internally injured. We are called to act in that situation. Our call is to help them. Jesus is the Good Samaritan. He is our guide, reference and example in our actions. He talked less and did much more. His life and actions must inspire us. Let us find out a connection with in our words and works. Amen.
–
Fr Thomas Kalathil