'Listen, Israel'

By FATHER DANIEL ULLOA, O.P.

After listening on previous Sundays how Jesus taught his disciples about God's kingdom and his commandment of love, this Sunday's Gospel helps us understand better the meaning of the words "Listen, Israel."

Jesus was invited to the home of a woman named Martha, who prepared a banquet for the Teacher. Unfortunately, she was so busy that she did not have time to pay attention to what Jesus was saying.

Martha's sister, Mary, on the contrary, is so happy that Jesus came to visit them that she is sitting next to the other disciples, listening to Jesus. In doing so, she is breaking the social rules of that time.

That is why Martha is so annoyed with her sister that she goes to Jesus and tells him, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me."

Jesus gently reprimanded Martha. "Martha, Martha," he said, "you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

Martha and Mary show us as in a mirror our attitude to Jesus' presence. Are we listening to Jesus' word? Are we changing our attitude and criteria to be able to follow and imitate Jesus? Or are we like Martha who has in her house the living Word of God, but she could not listen to the Word of Life because she was too busy?

Today, the Gospel invites us to pay attention to Jesus' words. Jesus teaches us how to renounce violence in our homes, how to pay attention to one's husband or wife and to one's children, possibly by turning off the TV.

Jesus wants us to reflect on those things we worry about so much every day. He wants us to understand that they are not important and that we should concentrate on the only one that is necessary and really worth living for: our closeness to God.

Father Ulloa is parochial vicar at Notre Dame parish in Manhattan.