16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Choosing the Better Part: Bringing the Presence of Christ into Our Daily Lives

On this 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, the Gospel leads us into the familiar and deeply meaningful story of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary, as told in Luke 10:38-42. In this brief but powerful account, we are reminded of the importance of not just doing for the Lord but also being with Him.

Martha, as we hear, is busy—working hard, caring for Jesus, preparing things for His comfort and well-being. These are beautiful acts of service. She represents those who serve with love and generosity. Yet, she becomes distracted, overwhelmed by the many things she tries to manage. In her frustration, she even turns to Jesus and asks Him to intervene on her behalf.

Mary, on the other hand, sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words. She is present, focused, and open. Jesus responds to Martha not with a harsh judgment, but with an invitation to deeper understanding: ‘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.’

It’s worth reflecting—how often do we become like Martha, even when we come to Mass? We may arrive at church with our minds occupied: thinking about the tasks we have to complete after Mass, checking our phones, worrying about lunch or appointments, or focusing on whether things in the liturgy are going exactly the way we think they should. Sometimes, we even get frustrated when things don’t go as expected or when others don’t participate the way we think they should. In these moments, we are physically present, but spiritually distracted. Like Martha, we’re doing a good thing—coming to church—but we may miss the quiet presence of Christ calling us to simply sit with Him, to listen, to rest in His word.

Mary reminds us that our time with the Lord is the most important part of our week. When we come to Mass, we are invited to do more than go through the motions—we are invited to encounter Christ personally, to open our hearts to His voice in the readings, in the homily, in the Eucharist.

This doesn’t mean that serving in the church, helping with ministries, or supporting the parish isn’t important. It absolutely is important. But that service must grow out of a heart that first listens and is nourished by God’s presence.

Yet, this message goes beyond what happens during Mass. It carries into the rest of our week—into our workplaces, schools, homes, and communities. We can so easily get caught up in the busyness of life: deadlines, family commitments, errands, social obligations, and constant notifications from our devices. All of these can distract us from the presence of God in our daily lives, just as Martha was distracted by her many tasks.

So, how do we live the message of Mary and Martha Monday through Saturday?

Perhaps by setting aside just five or ten minutes each day to sit quietly with the Lord in prayer. Maybe it’s choosing to pray a psalm or gospel passage instead of checking the news first thing in the morning. It might mean offering a moment of gratitude before meals, or turning off the car radio during your commute to talk to God or simply listen.

Being more like Mary doesn’t mean we abandon our responsibilities. It means we let the presence of Christ shape how we carry them out. It means remembering we are not alone in our workload or worries—we have a Savior who desires to be with us in them. And when we carry the peace of Christ with us throughout the week, we naturally bring that peace into the lives of those around us.

This week, let us strive to be a little more like Mary. Let us put aside distractions—not only when we step into the church, but also in the everyday moments when God is quietly inviting us to pause and listen. Let our service, our actions, and our words be rooted in time spent with the Lord.

May our prayer be: Lord, help me to choose the better part. Help me to sit at Your feet, listen attentively, and be transformed by Your love, so that all I do may flow from a heart grounded in You.