'There is need of only one thing'. 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C, 18 July 2010

Christ in the house of Martha and Mary, Johannes Vermeer  (painted c 1654-55) 

Readings

New American Bible (Philippines, USA)

Jerusalem Bible (Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, Scotland)

Gospel  Lk 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
"Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me."
The Lord said to her in reply,
"Martha, Martha, 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."

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I'm posting this early because I have a number of meetings in the coming week and will be flying home to Ireland on 20 July, God willing. I will try to add to the post if I can.

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Diego Rodriguez de Silva y VELÁZQUEZ in his painting of Christ in the house of Martha and Mary, painted c 1620, shows an unusual perspective of the scene, that of two servants in the kitchen listening to what is going on: