16th Sunday C 2007.
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Abraham’s faith in God is held up to us as the example of perfection. Today we have heard about the long awaited moment in his life. The visitors, who were God’s angels, told him that he would have a son within a year. He longed to have an heir all his life but they had no children. It seems that he never lost his faith in God promise that he would have a son even when he and his wife had become old and it was unheard of to have a child in such old age. Abraham seemed to have held the view that if God promised something then it would come about even if it seemed too late or impossible to humans. That is why is called our father in faith.
Psalm 14 is a little sermon on good and godly conduct. It calls on the hearer to act with justice, to speak the truth and never to slander; to do no wrong and cast no slur on anyone. To respect godly people but learn nothing from the ungodly; to keep a promise, to lend without interest and accept no bribe.
St. Paul talks about his responsibility to make known the message of God that is in Christ, to the gentiles. We too have been commissioned, as baptised Christians, to make Jesus known. The easiest and most effective way is probably being of service.
As individuals and as a church community we ought to look for the opportunity to be of service not only inside our group but outside as well.
Jesus highlights to us two lifestyles, the busy, active life and the reflective contemplative life. Martha was showing good hospitality, attending to Jesus’ material needs of food; Mary saw an opportunity to listen to the Word of God and made use of it. Jesus indicated that he regarded listening to his words more important than putting food in front of him. Much activity without reflection can cause us miss the point.
Opportunities to hear or read the word of God and to reflect on it are there for all of us. Jesus called it the better part that no one can take from us.
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