Sep 29, 2025 Written by 

Martha and Mary... Empty minutes?

Understanding action in the contemplation’ spirit

(Lk 10:38-42)

 

Bethany is an ideal community, coordinated by a woman [Martha: ‘lady’].

The loveable Face of the Lord shines through in the contexts of (only) brothers and sisters, where difficult choices can be shared.

But even in the hearts where Jesus is understood, there are two different ways of welcoming the Son of God.

Some lack something, «absorbed for great service» (v.40); others make the choice «good».

«Good part» (v.42) is personal Freedom, which no intimidation or haste of others can take away and oppress.

In fact, Mary «even» (v.39) was sitting at Jesus' feet and listening.

The position is significant, because it was that of the disciple towards the teacher.

Mary does not have an abstruse intimist attitude, but surprising and gravely transgressive [appropriate with God].

In fact, the guest was welcomed by men alone; the women had to be relegated to the side and not appear.

At the time, no spiritual guide would have accept a woman among his disciples.

But here the Gospel speaks of receiving Jesus and his Word: of that accepting that qualifies the things “at the bottom of the list”, rather than “at the top”.

 

«Martha was distracted around for the much ‘service’...» (v.40).

‘Serving’ is not the same as doing Communion. This overwhelms her, and she becomes herself «above» Jesus (v.40 Greek text).

She remains in anxiety, in upset; divided in the heart (v.41), attracted between opposing choices.

Caught up in the tension, she does not understand that every authentic relationship is born from Listening.

She does not grasp the essential: the ‘little important’ that makes us feel good is not to be neglected - rather, it’s the foundation of our being and of the joy of living.

Instead of the «many things» (v.41) we need «One only» (v.42): to be in one’s Centre and to host the Voice of dim character that becomes full Kingdom within.

By taking care first of the beginnings and not immediately of the terms, as overflowing with fullness poured out in simplicity; then each one has great capacities for growth and transformation.

 

Then comes a further, clinking Call to heart [«Martha, Martha...»: v.41].

Appeal of the profound being, who ceaselessly retrieve from the neglect of the essential.

Vocation in the Name allows us to stop; for meeting ourselves and others, our deep states and motivations; in order to understand and enjoy what has already been done or is being done, without dehumanizing ahead of time.

All this so that we can reappropriate the breath of the soul, of its character - and do not lose our minds, always setting a great confusion that takes our breath away, and makes everyone angry.

Even a better “performance” will come to surprise us, because a different Perception will transmit patience, firm nerves, lucidity to wait for  ripe times; determination even in afflictions; possibility of rediscovering innate abilities.

Lord’s Message will communicate the Judgment of the Crucified One, and opportune rhythm.

His Teaching will give balance, good disposition, and faculty to overcome the oppositions of an ambiguous world that is agitated to perpetuate itself - and does not give up the grip.

The instinct of the Logos inside and the provident reality will build a binary of our own, even through losses and scars.

Indeed, when our busy minutes will become empty and the slow hours become enchanting, we will even improve tightness and efficiency.

Made wise and incisive according to our Seed, we will not accuse Jesus of having been [us] «left alone to serve» (v.40).

 

We won’t spin in vain anymore, and our gestures will become valuable: clear.

 

 

[Tuesday 27.th wk. in O.T.  October 7, 2025]

377 Last modified on Tuesday, 07 October 2025 11:59
don Giuseppe Nespeca

Giuseppe Nespeca è architetto e sacerdote. Cultore della Sacra scrittura è autore della raccolta "Due Fuochi due Vie - Religione e Fede, Vangeli e Tao"; coautore del libro "Dialogo e Solstizio".

Are we disposed to let ourselves be ceaselessly purified by the Lord, letting Him expel from us and the Church all that is contrary to Him? (Pope Benedict)
Siamo disposti a lasciarci sempre di nuovo purificare dal Signore, permettendoGli di cacciare da noi e dalla Chiesa tutto ciò che Gli è contrario? (Papa Benedetto)
Jesus makes memory and remembers the whole history of the people, of his people. And he recalls the rejection of his people to the love of the Father (Pope Francis)
Gesù fa memoria e ricorda tutta la storia del popolo, del suo popolo. E ricorda il rifiuto del suo popolo all’amore del Padre (Papa Francesco)
Ecclesial life is made up of exclusive inclinations, and of tasks that may seem exceptional - or less relevant. What matters is not to be embittered by the titles of others, therefore not to play to the downside, nor to fear the more of the Love that risks (for afraid of making mistakes)
La vita ecclesiale è fatta di inclinazioni esclusive, e di incarichi che possono sembrare eccezionali - o meno rilevanti. Ciò che conta è non amareggiarsi dei titoli altrui, quindi non giocare al ribasso, né temere il di più dell’Amore che rischia (per paura di sbagliare).
Zacchaeus wishes to see Jesus, that is, understand if God is sensitive to his anxieties - but because of shame he hides (in the dense foliage). He wants to see, without being seen by those who judge him. Instead the Lord looks at him from below upwards; Not vice versa
Zaccheo desidera vedere Gesù, ossia capire se Dio è sensibile alle sue ansie - ma per vergogna si nasconde nel fitto fogliame. Vuole vedere, senza essere visto da chi lo giudica. Invece il Signore lo guarda dal basso in alto; non viceversa
The story of the healed blind man wants to help us look up, first planted on the ground due to a life of habit. Prodigy of the priesthood of Jesus
La vicenda del cieco risanato vuole aiutarci a sollevare lo sguardo, prima piantato a terra a causa di una vita abitudinaria. Prodigio del sacerdozio di Gesù.
Firstly, not to let oneself be fooled by false prophets nor to be paralyzed by fear. Secondly, to live this time of expectation as a time of witness and perseverance (Pope Francis)
Primo: non lasciarsi ingannare dai falsi messia e non lasciarsi paralizzare dalla paura. Secondo: vivere il tempo dell’attesa come tempo della testimonianza e della perseveranza (Papa Francesco)
O Signore, fa’ che la mia fede sia piena, senza riserve, e che essa penetri nel mio pensiero, nel mio modo di giudicare le cose divine e le cose umane (Papa Paolo VI)
O Lord, let my faith be full, without reservations, and let penetrate into my thought, in my way of judging divine things and human things (Pope Paul VI)
«Whoever tries to preserve his life will lose it; but he who loses will keep it alive» (Lk 17:33)
«Chi cercherà di conservare la sua vita, la perderà; ma chi perderà, la manterrà vivente» (Lc 17,33)
«And therefore, it is rightly stated that he [st Francis of Assisi] is symbolized in the figure of the angel who rises from the east and bears within him the seal of the living God» (FS 1022)
«E perciò, si afferma, a buon diritto, che egli [s. Francesco d’Assisi] viene simboleggiato nella figura dell’angelo che sale dall’oriente e porta in sé il sigillo del Dio vivo» (FF 1022)
This is where the challenge for your life lies! It is here that you can manifest your faith, your hope and your love! [John Paul II at the Tala Leprosarium, Manila]
È qui la sfida per la vostra vita! È qui che potete manifestare la vostra fede, la vostra speranza e il vostro amore! [Giovanni Paolo II al Lebbrosario di Tala, Manilla]

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