Sunday 21 July

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15; Colossians 1:24-28;Luke 10:38-42

Labels

It’s very easy to label Martha a fusspot and to leave it at that! However, if we take the time to trace her development in the gospel of John [chapter 11], we see that she is the one who greets Jesus after Lazarus dies, while Mary stays at home in her grief. It is fussy old Martha whose faith is transformed before her more contemplative sister Mary. So how do we allow people to change in the church? In our families? In our communities? When we put a label on anyone, we not only limit a brother or sister, we also limit possibilities for growth in our hearts.