FIRST READING
“He revealed his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 1:13-24)
Brethren: You have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still not known by sight to the churches of Christ in Judea; they only heard it said, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 139:1-3.13- 14.15 (R. 24b)
R/. Lead me, Lord, in the way everlasting.
O Lord, you search me and you know me.
You yourself know my resting and my rising;,
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You mark when I walk or lie down;
you know all my ways through and through. R/.
For it was you who formed my inmost being,
knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I thank you who wonderfully made me;
how wonderful are your works,
which my soul knows well! R/.
R/. Lead me, Lord, in the way everlasting.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being fashioned in secret
and moulded in the depths of the earth. R/.
ALLELUIA Luke 11 :28
Alleluia. Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Martha received him into her house. Mary has chosen the good portion.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 10:38-42)
At that time: Jesus entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Today, Paul continues with his emphasis on truth. He recounts the true story of how he was enlisted by God to do is work. The story of Paul’s conversion and initial life in Judaism affords us an opportunity to examine our lives. Our story might not be exactly the same as that of Paul, but the bottom line is the invitation to a new life of grace that God gives all of us. Sometimes it is good we examine the passion and energy we put into planning and executing certain evil deeds. We can consciously put this same energy and passion in use for good purposes. The call to use our energy and passion for the greater good is found in the lives of the friends of Jesus we read about in the gospel today. Each had a unique role to play as a disciple of Christ: Martha was passionate about her duty, just as Mary was passionate about the desire to listen to Jesus. We too can put in so much passion about the affairs of God. However, in going about our work for Jesus, we must never leave the feet of Jesus, because that is the fountain of knowledge and the source of our passion.