A reading from the Book of Genesis
(Chapter 18:1-10a)
This passage describes Abraham's encounter with three strangers who stopped near his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham, apparently not realizing that these were not mortal beings, rushed out of the tent and invited them to rest under a nearby tree while his wife, Sarah, prepared something for them to eat. According to the book of Genesis, God had already promised that Sarah would bear Abraham a son, and idea that the elderly couple thought so unlikely as to be laughable. One of the strangers—or, rather, God speaking through one of them—repeated that promise, making it appear to be a reward for the couple's hospitality. The reason for God's promise was that Abraham's only child, Ishmael, was the son of Sarah's servant, Hagar, and therefore, could not be Abraham's heir. This was important because Abraham's legacy wasn't only one child but the Jewish people, all of whom descend from Abraham. And from the Jewish people came the Messiah, whom we know as Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5)
The psalmist urges us to speak the truth, avoid defaming our neighbor, and be faithful to our oaths. For most of us, speaking is an effortless activity. In Shakespearean terms, the words come "trippingly off the tongue." But as a matter of justice, are we as careful as we should be about what we say and about who is affected by our words?
A reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians
(Chapter 1:24-28)
Saint Paul, who suffered plenty for carrying out his ministry, describes for the Christians in Colossae his singleness of purpose, his purpose being to bring to as many people as possible knowledge of the great mystery of our faith—Christ living in us. How hard do we try to share our faith in that mystery?
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
(Chapter 10:38-42)
This passage describes the incident in which Jesus' friend Martha complains to him that her sister, Mary, was listening to him speak rather than helping with the household chores. Jesus' answer—that "Mary has chosen the better part"—might seem unfair until we ask ourselves whether we spend too little time "listening" to the Lord, reading Scripture, praying, meditating on his word, because we're busy with "more important" things.
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Painting, "Christ with Mary and Martha" (detail), Jacopo Tintoretto (1519-1594). Alte Pinakothek, Munich. Public domain.
Excerpts from the English translation of the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL). All rights reserved.
Charles Paolino is managing editor at RENEW International. He is a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Metuchen.