Daily Readings - Tue Oct 06 2020
Galatians
13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:14And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.19But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.20Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.21Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;22And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:23But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.24And they glorified God in me.
Luke
38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our priorities in life. The first reading from Galatians recounts St. Paul’s dramatic conversion and his call to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. Once a fierce persecutor of the Church, Paul was transformed by God’s grace and became a zealous missionary. His journey reminds us that God can take even the most unlikely person and use them for extraordinary purposes when they surrender to His will. The Gospel from Luke presents a different yet complementary scene: Martha and Mary welcoming Jesus into their home. While Martha is consumed by the busyness of serving, Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet, listening to His words. Jesus gently reminds Martha that while service is good, it is more important to prioritize time with Him.
These readings are connected by the theme of response to God’s call. Paul’s life was radically redirected by God’s grace, and he spent the rest of his days spreading the Good News. Similarly, Mary’s choice to listen to Jesus reflects her desire to prioritize the spiritual over the temporal. Both stories challenge us to examine how we respond to God’s presence in our lives. Are we like Martha, getting caught up in the distractions and anxieties of the world, or are we like Mary, seeking to deepen our relationship with God?
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: What is the “one thing necessary” in our lives? In a world that often values productivity and busyness, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Like Mary, we are called to create space for prayer, reflection, and intimacy with God. And like Paul, we are called to trust in God’s grace and to share His love with others, even when it requires stepping out of our comfort zones. May we learn to balance our active lives with a deep inner stillness, remembering that it is in sitting at the feet of Jesus that we find true peace and purpose.