Daily Catholic Lectio. Tue, 8 October ’24. Choosing the better part

Daily Catholic Lectio

Tue, 8 Oct ‘24

XXVII Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday

Galatians 1:13-24. Luke 10:38-42

Choosing the better part

Life constantly offers us choices, and often, we struggle to prioritize what truly matters. In today’s readings, we see how the right choice, the “better part,” leads us closer to God and transforms our lives. Through the examples of Paul, Martha, and Mary, we are invited to discern how we can choose wisely in our spiritual journey.

1. Transformation through encounter: From zeal to grace

In the first reading (Galatians 1), Paul recounts his dramatic conversion, moving from being a zealous persecutor of the Church to a passionate apostle of Christ. His encounter with Jesus radically transformed him, and he chose to dedicate his life to the Gospel. This reminds us that God’s grace can change us in ways we might never expect. Like Paul, we are invited to choose the path of grace over the zeal for worldly pursuits or misguided priorities. When we encounter Christ, we are called to allow that encounter to reshape our lives.

Like Paul, we can experience profound transformation when we choose to let Christ lead us.

2. Prioritizing the presence of Jesus

In the gospel reading from Luke, we see Martha and Mary offering two different responses to Jesus’ presence in their home. Martha is busy with the tasks of hospitality, while Mary chooses to sit at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him. Jesus gently tells Martha that Mary has chosen the “better part.” This moment highlights the importance of prioritizing time with the Lord over the distractions and anxieties of daily life. The “right part” is to be with Christ, to listen to His Word, and to place Him at the centre of all we do.

Let us make intentional choices to prioritize prayer, reflection, and time with God over the constant busyness of life.

3. Balancing action and contemplation: Living out the “Right Part”

While Jesus commends Mary for choosing to listen, He does not diminish Martha’s desire to serve. The key is finding a balance between action and contemplation. Christian life involves both – serving others like Martha, and taking time to be with the Lord like Mary. The “right part” is not about rejecting one over the other, but about integrating both in our lives. We need to learn when to pause, to rest in God’s presence, so that our actions are fuelled by our relationship with Him.

Let us find regular moments of stillness and reflection to re-fill our souls, so that our service becomes an outpouring of love, not mere duty.

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The ‘pilgrims of hope’ are able to strike a balance between love of God and love of neighbour. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 219)

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy