MEDITATION TIPS 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time,
July 20, 2025

“Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part.” (Luke 10:42)

　Today’s Gospel depicts a scene from everyday life, one that could be found in any household. Those with two sisters, in particular, might find this story relatable. Martha, busily working to host Jesus, stands in stark contrast to Mary, who sits at Jesus’ feet, listening intently to his words. From the context, it’s presumed Martha is the elder sister and Mary the younger. Martha, however, is clearly frustrated with Mary for not helping, and we can almost feel her irritation when she says to Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

　Martha’s dissatisfaction likely wasn’t limited to this moment but was an ongoing issue. These sisters also had a brother named Lazarus, who was apparently frail and died once, but was later brought back to life by Jesus (see John 11:38-44). Martha had to care for both Mary and Lazarus, and although she was truly a kind-hearted woman, her strong sense of responsibility probably often led to her frustration. I can picture Martha muttering to herself while immersed in her housework. This is also a reflection of our own daily lives.

　Even without speaking aloud, people often have words they tell themselves in their hearts. These are the unconscious “self-talk” phrases we murmur when things are going well or when they aren’t. This self-talk is a form of self-suggestion, with the power to motivate us. However, don’t many of us often use this important self-talk for negative suggestions? When things don’t go our way, we might say things like, “Oh, I hate this,” “This is irritating,” or “This makes me angry.” Conversely, if you habitually use encouraging self-talk like “Oh well, it’s OK,” “This is a learning experience,” or “I can do it next time,” you’ll become a stronger person when faced with challenges.

　There’s a passage in the Gospel that demonstrates Martha’s inner strength. When Lazarus died, she made a firm and admirable confession of faith (see John 11:17-27). Her resolute demeanor was underpinned by her habitual use of positive “mutterings,” which the Church calls prayer. By simply shifting the direction of our usual negative murmurs and making slight adjustments to turn them into positive ones, they can become profound prayers, allowing us to deeply reexamine ourselves.

　However, many might not be entirely convinced by today’s Gospel: “Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part.” Does this mean what Martha did was not good? Not at all. It was precisely because of Martha’s service that Mary was able to listen to Jesus, and Mary’s example shows that listening attentively to others is also a crucial form of service. This isn’t a matter of one being good and the other not; both are necessary. Just as a human being breathes with two lungs, we need both Martha’s service and Mary’s posture of listening.

 　　　　　(Contributed by Rev. Yutaka Akabae)