Jesus has the words of life, and his flesh is true food and his blood true drink.  To go to him is better and worth more than all things.

It is better and more honest to say from the start what the text on Martha and Mary is about.  To do so is to be fair to Luke also.

And the text is not about women, but about being Jesus’ disciple, be one a man or a woman.  Sure, there are lessons and lessons to learn from it (see also P.J. Griffin).  But these lessons just make clear the main point:  disciples, men or women, are those who sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to his word.  This is the trait that tells disciples apart from others.

Hence, this text teaches what other texts also teach.  That is, what is better and counts more is to hear and do God’s word (Lk 8, 20-21; 11, 27-28).

One must say though, that to listen to Jesus gets the highlight in today’s text.  After all, he is God’s last word that gives life.  His flesh and blood and word are the food and drink by which we live.  And true disciples, of course, do what their Master says.

No, there is no better and surer way to let God save us than to follow Jesus (SV.EN III:384).  And one who hears him and does his word builds a house that floods cannot take down.  For it has rock for its firm foundation (see also CRCM II:1).

Besides, if we hear Jesus’ words in Luke’s text, we may just get to grasp what Jesus also tells us: women can be disciples.  We may get the strength, too, to let them be better and do more than to keep house.   As Vincent let them, as he trusted in the same Providence that let the Church do away with women deacons (SV.EN XIIIb:432).

Lord Jesus Christ, you have the words of life.  Hence, there is no other thing in life that is better and more crucial than to follow you.  Grant that we get to follow you indeed.  Get to know also the wealth of the glory of your mystery.  And get to feast on your word, flesh and blood, so that it will not be taken away from us.

20 July 2025
16th Sunday in O.T. (C)
Gen 18, 1-10a; Col 1, 24-28; Lk 10, 38-42