With Opened Bible
Balance between Ministry and Contemplation
The first reading and the Gospel of this Sunday turn us to an essential aspect of life: welcoming and serving visitors. Abraham receives the three Angels (an image of the Holy Trinity) and serves them food. The concept of angels eating while being spiritual beings is another topic to explore another time.
Indeed, they joyfully receive and entertain them. At the end of their visit, they announce the Good News: the birth of a son next year. (Genesis 18:4-5, 10) In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus visits a friendly family in Bethany. (Bethany means the poor man's house in Hebrew.) It is where Jesus knew how to wisely balance his time, taking moments of rest to regain his strength away from the pastoral turmoil.
The two sisters of his friend Lazarus, Martha and Mary, welcome him with joy. Martha prepares food with zeal and love while Mary sits at the Master's feet to listen to Him. (Luke 18) That episode reminds us of the two pillars of Christian spirituality: acton (ministry) and contemplation. Saint Benedict used this phrase as the motto of his religious community: Ora (prayer) and labor (work). These two parts enable us to lead a balanced life, where neither work nor prayer has the upper hand.
Martha reproaches her sister for leaving her alone, but Jesus says to her: "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." (Luke 18:42) The better part is "to be with Christ," to learn from him and listen to him. Today, more than ever, our Church needs this balance between ministry and contemplation. Action without prayer becomes activism, and prayer without action becomes social disengagement. Abraham, Martha, and Mary teach us and encourage us to practice hospitality towards all. "Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels." (Hebrews 13:2)
