Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
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Angelus
On Martha and Mary
"We are Reminded of the Need to Rest from Our Daily Labors"
H.H. Benedict XVI
July 18, 2010
www.zenit.org
Dear
Brothers and Sisters!
We are already in the heart of the summer, at least in the northern
hemisphere. This is the time in which the schools are closed and in
which most vacations are concentrated. Even the pastoral activities
of the parishes are reduced, and I myself have suspended audiences
for a period. It is therefore a favorable moment to give first place
to what is effectively the most important thing in life, that is to
say, listening to the Word of God. This Sunday's Gospel always
reminds us of this with the celebrated episode of Jesus' visit to
the house of Martha and Mary narrated by St. Luke (10:38-42).
Martha and Mary are two sisters; they also have a brother, Lazarus,
who, however, does not appear in this case. Jesus passes through
their village and -- the text says -- Martha welcomes him (cf.
10:38). This detail gives one to understand that, of the two
sisters, Martha is the oldest, the one who rules the house. In fact,
after Jesus is accommodated, Mary sits at his feet and listens to
him, while Martha is completely absorbed with much serving, which is
certainly due to the exceptional guest. We seem to see the scene:
One sister is very busy and the other is enraptured by the presence
of the Master and his words. After a while Martha, evidently
resentful, no longer resists and protests, also feeling that she has
the right to criticize Jesus: "Lord, does it not matter to you that
my sister has left me to do all the serving? Tell her, therefore, to
help me." Indeed, Martha would like to teach the Master! But Jesus,
with great calm, answers: "Martha, Martha" -- and this name repeated
expresses affection -- "you are anxious and worried about many
things, but there is only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the
better part and it will not be taken from her" (Luke 10:41-42).
Christ's word is quite clear: no scorn for the active life, nor much
less for the generous hospitality; but a plain reminder of the fact
that the one thing that is truly necessary is something else:
listening to the Word of the Lord; and the Lord is there in that
moment, present in the person of Jesus! Everything else will pass
and will be taken away from us, but the Word of God is eternal and
gives meaning to our daily activity.
Dear Friends, as I said, this Gospel passage is very important at
vacation time, because it recalls the fact that the human person
must work, must involve himself in domestic and professional
concerns, to be sure, but he has need of God before all else, who is
the interior light of love and truth. Without love, even the most
important activities lose value and do not bring joy. Without a
profound meaning, everything we do is reduced to sterile and
disordered activism. And who gives us love and truth if not Jesus
Christ? So let us learn, brothers, to help each other, to cooperate,
but first of all to choose together the better part, which is and
will always be our greater good.
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
[After the Angelus the Holy Father greeted the faithful in various
languages. In English he said:]
I am pleased to greet the English-speaking visitors here in Castel
Gandolfo. In today's Gospel we are reminded of the need to rest from
our daily labors, so that we may give time to the one thing that is
truly necessary in our lives -- listening to the word of God in
attentive stillness. It is Mary, not Martha, who chose the better
part. At this time when many of you are on holiday, I pray that you
and your loved ones may be truly refreshed in body and spirit, so
that you may return with renewed vigor to the responsibilities of
your daily lives. May God bless you all!
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