HOMILY FOR THE 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
THEME: “MARY HAS CHOSEN THE BETTER PART”
BY: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu
HOMILY FOR SUNDAY JULY 17 2022
This is the 16th sunday in ordinary time.
Cordial human relationship is very important in our relationship with God. If you welcome your fellow human being without minding what you will suffer, you have gained much already. To make another person feel at home with you is to make God to be happy with you. This was how Abraham and his wife, Sarah, received blessings through welcoming three men at the Oak of Mamre (Gen. 18:1-10). They never knew it was the Blessed Trinity they welcomed in the form of three men.
Cordial welcome given a foreigner could mean receiving God who comes to us disguised. An act of charity to a stranger could become a rich offering acceptable to God. A cup of cold water offered to the poor reminds us of the fact that, ‘whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, that you do unto me’ says the Lord. Martha did the cooking and serving which is equally important, but she complained. We need not complain while serving others. This is why Paul says, “It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now…” (Col. 1:24-28).
To welcome another requires listening to the person as well. This sense of welcoming and listening prompted the Lord Jesud to say, “Mary has chosen the better part, it is not to be taken from her” (Lk.10:38-42). The Lord said this not necessarily to underrate the hospitality of Martha. Her role is equally an act of welcoming, but she complained. She was distracted and could not listen to what Jesus was telling Mary. We should not allow eating and drinking to deprive us from listening to the word of God. Mary chose the better part by listenin. The Lord is asking us to listen to his word and put it into practice without complaining. May his blessings upon us remain with us and never be taken away from us, amen. Happy Sunday.
Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu
