St James Catholic Church

Dear Parishioners,

We do not know when, where, or how the Lord will come to us. He could appear as a stranger, as someone in need whom we have never met before. Or maybe we’ll encounter Jesus in a dream, in deep reflection, or in a prayer. We are assured of encountering him here and now in a number of ways as an assembly gathered in his name: in the priest celebrating Mass, in each other, and certainly in the Scriptures and in the Eucharist, when we receive his Body and Blood. Our readings today remind us that the Lord comes in many ways and we are called to always respond with attention and kindness.

In our Gospel, Mary has every right to be overwhelmed when her sister welcomes Jesus into their home. Here is the Messiah himself sitting at the table. She is transfixed by his every word, probably not even noticing that Martha is doing all the work. Poor Martha is doing all the work. Poor Martha. She is the conscientious one, doing all the serving and cleaning up and anything else that needed to be done for their guest. Tired and overworked, she can’t help but complain and now Jesus seems to be siding with her lazy sister. But Jesus is aware of Mary’s need to give her undivided attention to him at that moment, not unlike his closest disciple. Long after all the anxieties are past, Mary’s experience of sitting at the Lord’s feet and glorifying in his presence will stay with her. Truly she has chosen the better part, for she has chosen with her heart.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob

Next Friday is the Feast of St. James the Greater, July 25th. So next  weekend at all the Masses we will celebrate our patronal saint.