Anxious and Worried: Reflections on the Readings for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Genesis 18:1-10a
Psalm 15
Colossians 1:24-28
Luke 10:38-42

We struggle in our lives over many things. One of our problems is that we have difficulty setting priorities. Our priority is with God, first above all other things. This theme comes out in today’s readings and is expressed explicitly in the gospel excerpt.

In the first reading, Abraham is visited by three men. It is important to put this event in the context of Abraham and his covenant with God. This event occurs after Sarah, who was entering old age, was childless and gave her slave, Hagar, to Abram as a concubine. Hagar bore a son, Ishmael, when Abram was eighty-six years old. Thirteen years later “the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty ... And I will make my covenant between Me and you.’” The sign of this covenant will be the circumcision of all males on the eighth day after their birth. (Genesis 17:1-14) This is also when Abram’s name was changed to Abraham. Note that Ishmael, considered the beginning of the line of Arabs, was thirteen at this time, which is why they get circumcised at that age. Abraham’s wife also gets a name change, from Sarai to Sarah.

Today’s reading picks up after this with three men visiting Abraham on their way to Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham welcomes them and feeds them at which time one of the three promises a son to Abraham through Sarah. Two of the men go on while the Lord stayed with Abraham. Later these two are identified as angels but “Christian tradition often saw the three visitors as an image of the Trinity.” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible) Additionally, St. Augustine wrote about God making Himself visible to men corporeally (in a man’s body). In his writings on the Trinity he notes that the three men appearing to Abraham could very well be the Trinity because “no one of whom is said to have stood prominently above the others, no one more than the others to have shone with greater glory, or to have acted more authoritatively."

My personal opinion is that this was not recognized by the author of Genesis because they did not have a concept of three persons in one God, even though there are indications of all three at the very beginning of creation (there was a mighty wind, i.e., the Spirit, when God spoke the Word, the Logos, the Son to enact creation – see Genesis 1:1-3). And “Then God said: Let Us make human beings” (Genesis 1:26).

Next week Abraham will argue with the Lord on the basis of justice, to try to save the people of Sodom. Meanwhile, today’s psalm picks up on the theme of justice. “He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.” The psalm details one of the main themes of Jesus’ teaching which we heard in last week’s telling of the parable of the Good Samaritan; treating our neighbor with love and respect; “Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor.” The just person will not deal in usury or bribes but will “honor those who fear the Lord.”

Paul in his letter to the Colossians also talks of Jesus’ teaching. He notes that while he has suffered, he rejoices for Jesus’ sake and the sake of the Church. His suffering brings him closer to Jesus. Through his ministry, the message is being made manifest to the Gentiles. Jesus has made clear much of the mysteries of the past and through the Church is making the message of salvation known to the world. However, in keeping with Jesus’ command for repentance (Mark 1:15), this is not done without admonishment of sinners (one of the spiritual works of mercy), “that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”

Jesus also commanded, “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) There is no imperfection in heaven. Even though we may have had our sins forgiven, many of us still have some residual attachment to those sins. It is for this reason that we must be purged of those attachments. Fr. Groeschel on EWTN explained it this way. Suppose you have a white shirt that has been soiled, and you put it in the laundry. You hang it to dry, and it is now clean. However, it is full of wrinkles. Those wrinkles must be ironed out before you can wear it to work or to a celebration or other special occasion. And so it is with our souls. We must be ironed out before we can enter the presence of the Lord.

The gospel reading this week comes immediately after last week’s parable of the Good Samaritan. At that time we heard the two greatest commandments, love your God with all of your heart, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. This week’s gospel extends that lesson.

Mary and Martha are visited by Jesus. Martha is doing neighborly work, busily tending to the needs of her guests, preparing the meal and serving. Mary meanwhile sits at Jesus’ feet paying attention to Him and His words. Martha is upset at not having Mary’s help and asks Jesus to “Tell her to help me.” Jesus then explains the previous lesson by pointing out the proper priority for dealing with others: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

As we noted in last week’s reflection, we must put God before all else. This is what Jesus is telling Martha. As He is God, Mary is listening to Him, which should come before all else. The Collegeville Bible Commentary explains, “The Good Samaritan parable and the story of Martha and Mary, then, serve to illustrate the double commandment in reverse order; the action of the Samaritan emphasizes love of neighbor; the action of Mary emphasizes love of God.”

How are you listening to God in your life? Do you make a regular habit of reading Scripture, at least reading the Mass selections before you get to Mass? Even better, take some time to read Scripture with your family and then spend time meditating on and discussing what you have read. If you don’t feel qualified, there are many resources (besides these reflections) that can help you including commentaries, books on the gospels or other texts (Fr. Pacwa of EWTN has several written in terms you can understand), or a good study Bible. Joining a small group that focuses on the Bible can also help (be sure you have a leader well-grounded in Scripture and Tradition). Many of the writings of the early Church fathers can also be a help.

Perhaps your parish has a study group or program that can help. We are called to continually learn more about our faith. It is part of Jesus’ call to daily conversion. The Catechism tells us that we “must be converted anew every day.” (CCC 2630) God deserves more of our time than one hour a week on Sunday. Spend time with Him every day, either with the Word, with prayer, in company with others discussing our Faith, or all three. And don’t forget to participate in the sacraments regularly.