Communing Ahead of Commencing!

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Gal 1:13-24; Lk 10: 38-42

Today’s Gospel highlights that hospitality is about making Jesus feel at home. 

We are presented with Martha and Mary, the two sisters, who symbolize different ways of welcoming Jesus. From what Jesus tells Martha, it is easy to conclude that Jesus is praising Mary and criticizing Martha, thus giving us all the impression that Mary’s, not Martha’s, example is both great and edifying. However, the Gospel call is clear not to make the mistake of choosing between Mary and Martha.

Jesus never undermines Martha’s earnestness to provide for him. As the Gospel itself describes beautifully, ‘Martha welcomed him’ into her home. The description is enough to tell us that Martha both exemplifies hospitality and generosity. However, Martha’s problem was not with serving Jesus but with allowing the serving to become a burden. The Gospel notes that Martha was ‘burdened with much serving.’

This is where we are called to understand Mary’s role as well. Indeed, Martha welcomed Jesus, but Mary attended to him. Martha showed Jesus his guest’s place. But Mary gave him the hospitality he needed. Martha busied herself with serving Jesus. Mary excelled at the part of being a dutiful host. Martha received Jesus warmly. But Mary made him feel at home. This is how we may distinguish between the two without choosing between the two. 

Jesus praises Mary for choosing the ‘better part,’ though without reducing the significance of Martha’s work. Mary does not become prey to the temptation of measuring her personal worth by her productivity or busyness. Instead, she delights in Jesus’ presence and treats herself with words from his mouth. His feet become a resting place for her and his own words, her strength and consolation. This is how Mary chooses the better part.

Again, we are not choosing between Mary and Martha here. We need both. However, in Jesus’ instruction to Martha, we detect the danger that sometimes we may attend to things of God rather than attend to God Himself. At times, we become too self-reliant without relying on God. Martha’s service without communion with Jesus becomes her burden. The burden of serving may become a better part if we diligently reorder our priorities. 

Let us pray that we may reorder our priorities so that we may commune with Jesus before commencing our service for him. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar