Year C

July 20, 2025

On this page you will find:

The readings for Mass, the Mass leaflet with the choice of hymns
A sample universal prayer available for download , in PDF and editable Word formats.
A meditation on the Sunday Gospel , a spiritual text and a commentary by Marie-Noëlle Thabut

16th Sunday

Ordinary Time

"Martha, Martha, you're worrying yourself sick"
And you're getting worked up about a lot of things.
Only one is needed.
Marie chose the best portion.
It will not be taken from her.

Luke 10:41-42

Readings from the Mass

https://www.aelf.org/2025-07-20/romain/messe

Mass leaflet

Universal Prayer

Lectio Divina
Consult this page for a prayerful preparation for the liturgy and then read the meditations below.

MEDITATION OF POPE FRANCIS

The Gospel reading for this Sunday's Liturgy presents us with a lively domestic scene: Martha and Mary, two sisters, offer Jesus hospitality in their home (cf. Lk 10:38-42). Martha immediately busies herself with welcoming her guest, while Mary sits at Jesus' feet to listen to him. Martha then addresses the Master and asks him to tell Mary to help her. Martha's complaint doesn't seem unjustified; indeed, we would be inclined to agree with her. Yet, Jesus replies, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Lk 10:41-42). But Jesus often challenges our way of thinking. Let us ask ourselves why, although appreciating Martha's generous attention, he affirms that we should prefer Mary's attitude.

Martha's "philosophy" seems to be this: duty first, then pleasure. Indeed, hospitality isn't about fine words, but requires getting to work in the kitchen, going out of one's way so that the guest feels truly welcome. Jesus knows this very well. And, in fact, he acknowledges Martha's commitment. But he wants her to understand that there's a new order of priority, different from the one she had followed until now. Mary has perceived that there is a "better portion," to which first place must be given. Everything else comes after, like a stream flowing from a spring. And so, we ask ourselves: what is this "better portion"? It is listening to the words of Jesus. The Gospel says: "Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet, listened to his teaching" (v. 39). Note that she wasn't listening while standing and doing something else, but she had sat at Jesus' feet. She understood that he was not a guest like any other. At first glance, it seemed that he had come to receive, because he needed food and shelter, but in reality, the Master had come to give himself through his word.

The word of Jesus is not abstract; it is a teaching that touches and shapes life, transforms it, liberates it from the burdens of evil, and fills and spreads a joy that never fades. The word of Jesus is the better part, the part Mary had chosen. That is why she gives it first place: she stops and listens. The rest will come later. This does not diminish the value of practical commitment, but such commitment must not precede, but flow from, listening to the word of Jesus; it must be animated by his Spirit. Otherwise, it is reduced to exhaustion and agitation over many things, to sterile activism.

Brothers and sisters, let us take advantage of this holiday time to pause and listen to Jesus. Today, we find it increasingly difficult to find free time for meditation. For many people, the pace of work is frantic and exhausting. The summer period can also be a precious time to open the Gospel and read it slowly, without haste, a passage each day, a short passage from the Gospel. And this draws us into the dynamic of Jesus. Let us allow ourselves to be challenged by these pages, let us ask ourselves how our life is going, whether it aligns with what Jesus says or not so much. In particular, let us ask ourselves: when I begin the day, do I plunge into the tasks at hand, or do I first seek inspiration in the Word of God? Sometimes, we begin our days automatically, going about our business… like chickens. No. We must begin each day first and foremost by looking to the Lord, by listening to his Word, brief though it may be, but let it be the inspiration of the day. If, in the morning, we leave our homes with a word of Jesus in mind, our day will surely take on a tone marked by that word, which has the power to guide our actions according to the Lord's will.

May the Virgin Mary teach us to choose the better part, which will never be taken from us.

POPE FRANCIS

ANGELUS

Saint Peter's Square

Sunday, July 17, 2022

The Little Way of the Gospel

Interview with Bernadette Dumont

for Magnificat

(I highly recommend subscribing: here )

◗ Last Sunday, with the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus taught us that we should dedicate ourselves to others; and today, he reproaches Martha for devoting herself to others, and he praises Mary for sitting around doing nothing!

But Mary doesn't just sit around doing nothing! On the contrary, she fulfills the laws of hospitality to the best of her ability by dedicating her entire presence and attention to her guest. And this is what was most precious to Jesus: to be welcomed by a disciple who listens to his word.

◗ Yes, but in the first reading, Abraham struggles like Martha when he receives his three mysterious visitors.

Jesus always taught that we should be servants of others, just as he was our servant. He made this a golden rule during the institution of the Eucharist, by personally washing the feet of his disciples. And he concluded by saying, “I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Blessed are you if you do” (John 13:15, 17). Jesus doesn't reproach Martha for her devotion, but for allowing herself to be so absorbed by the practical aspects of service that she sacrifices the human dimension. This causes her to miss the best part: the relationship with the person she is inviting.

◗ And Jesus is not a guest like the others…

He is the Word, the Word of God. Now, as he himself said to the Tempter: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4). Mary is concerned first and foremost with nourishing herself on every word spoken by the mouth of God, before worrying about eating bread. Indeed, she chose the better part. All things being equal, of course: it was not a matter of feeding a poor person dying of hunger, and it was the Word of God himself who was the guest. Nevertheless, the hospitality we owe our guests must prioritize attention to their person, and, as the verse of the Alleluia says:

Blessed are those who have heard the Word

in a kind and generous heart,

who are holding her

and bear fruit through their perseverance.

Catechist and author of children's books, Bernadette Dumont is a mother and grandmother.

Better understanding the Gospel
with Marie-Noëlle Thabut

Better understanding the Gospel

with Marie-Noëlle Thabut

Seek first the Kingdom

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The saying is from Matthew (Mt 6:33); it is perhaps the best commentary on Jesus’ lesson in the house of Martha and Mary.

Jesus is on his way with his disciples, and we know that this long journey is an opportunity for him to give them numerous instructions. Since the end of chapter 9, as Jesus begins the ascent to Jerusalem, he has been solely concerned with giving them points of reference to help them remain faithful to their wonderful and demanding vocation of following the Lord. Among other things, he has recommended that they accept hospitality (Lk 9:4; 10:5-9); this is precisely what he himself does here: we can therefore assume that he gratefully accepts Martha's hospitality.

This story, unique to Luke, immediately follows the parable of the Good Samaritan: there is certainly no contradiction between the two; and, in particular, let us refrain from criticizing Martha, the active one, in comparison to Mary, the contemplative one. The evangelist's focus seems to be rather the disciples' relationship with the Lord. This is evident from the context (see above) and the repetition of the word "Lord," which appears three times: "Mary sat at the Lord's feet..." Martha said, "Lord, do you not care?" "The Lord answered her." The use of this word suggests that the relationship described by Luke between Jesus and the two sisters, Martha and Mary, is not to be judged according to the usual criteria of good conduct. Here, the Master wants to call for discernment of what is "the better part," that is, the most essential attitude he expects from his disciples.

The two women welcome the Lord with their full attention: Martha, to receive him properly, and Mary, to miss nothing of his words. One cannot be said to be active and the other passive; both are entirely focused on him. In the first part of the narrative, the Lord speaks. We are not told the content of his discourse: we only know that Mary, in the attitude of a disciple who allows herself to be instructed (cf. Isaiah 50), hangs on his every word. Meanwhile, we see Martha "engulfed in the many tasks of serving." The actual dialogue only begins with Martha's complaint: "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me."

The Lord then uttered a phrase that has generated much discussion: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things.” Jesus certainly wasn't criticizing Martha for her eagerness to welcome him; hospitality, especially there, implies a good meal, and therefore preparations; “killing the fattened calf” is a biblical expression!

And how many of us too often find ourselves playing the role of Martha, wondering where we're going wrong? It would certainly seem easier to adopt Mary's attitude and let ourselves be waited on, keeping the guest company in the living room! The cook is often frustrated at missing out on the conversations!

The essential and the accessory

But it is Martha's anxious behavior that inspires Jesus to offer a gentle clarification, beneficial to everyone. And, in fact, through the character of the two sisters, he takes the opportunity to give each of his disciples (and therefore us) a piece of advice and remind us of what is essential: "Only one thing is necessary" does not mean that we should now let ourselves wither away! But it means that we must not neglect what is essential; we must each, in turn, play the roles of Martha and Mary, but be careful not to mistake our priorities.

A lesson that Jesus will elaborate on at greater length a little later (and which it is good for us to reread here, as the liturgy does not offer it): “As for your life, do not worry about what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storehouses or barns, and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? If you are unable to do the very least, why worry about the rest? Consider the lilies: how do they grow? They do not spin or weave. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his splendor was not dressed like one of these.” If that is how God clothes the grass that is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he do for you, you of little faith! Therefore do not seek what you will eat and drink; do not be anxious. For the nations of the world run after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock; your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:22-32)1

“Do not be afraid” is certainly the key phrase; elsewhere, he will warn his disciples against the worries of life that can weigh down their hearts: “Be on your guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of this life” (Luke 21:34). Worries can also prevent us from listening to the Word; this is the message of the parable of the sower: “But what fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” (Luke 8:14). If Martha is not careful, this could happen to her, perhaps?

And let's not forget that ultimately, it is always God who fulfills us, and not the other way around! Couldn't we translate it as: 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and busying yourself doing things for me... The better part is to welcome me; I am the one who will do things for you.'

Additional Information

The Twelve learned their lesson: later, the day came for them to choose between two missions: preaching the Word and serving at tables. They chose to dedicate themselves to the former and entrusted the service of tables to others: “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we will appoint to this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:2-4). For we must never forget that “man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3). At the same time, the service of tables is not despised, since those who will be entrusted with it are carefully chosen.

Martha and Mary; the better part

The best part of our days is that which is dedicated to Him, in whatever way. According to our charisms and our own missions, this may be evangelization, or service to others, or even contemplation of the mystery.