When I was still working overseas, it was very hard for me to find time to attend the Holy Mass every Sunday. I admit that I would rather stay in my apartment just to take some rest. Sometimes, the invitation from my friends to go out for leisure was more appealing than to attend the Mass. I thought that personal prayer would be enough to thank, adore and worship the Lord. Like Martha in today’s Gospel, I can be distracted easily by unnecessary and irrelevant things.

When Jesus went to Bethany, where his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived, it was Martha who welcomed Him and immediately went to the kitchen to prepare food for Him. Meanwhile, Mary stayed with Jesus to listen to His teaching. Jesus said to Martha that she was so worried about many things. He further said that few things are needed, and “Mary has chosen the better part.”

Now that I am a seminarian, there is still a lot of work to do. Our ministry is to study, and every day I am dealing with a lot of reading materials, reflection papers and online academic classes. Sometimes, I must admit that 24 hours in a day are not enough to finish all my tasks. But, the seminary formation instills in my heart to see rightly that which is important. Every day, I grow in my intimacy with God as I attend the Mass – the most important part of the day of a seminarian and priest. The Gospel is quite a challenge to focus on and be still in the presence of Jesus amidst the busyness of our life. But, Jesus points us to Mary to be our model in choosing the better part. God is with us, and He invites us to stay and listen to Him.

By: Sem. Jimwell S. Sales

Today’s Gospel

Lk 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me.”
The Lord said to her in reply,
“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.”