Last Sunday we heard the Parable of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke. Recall that Jesus shared that in response to the scholar of the law who was trying to test him. Jesus said, “Do this (i.e., love your neighbor) and you will live.” But lest Luke’s listeners and readers think that loving God means only doing good deeds, he complements the parable with the story of Martha and Mary.
Martha was clearly a doer. Jesus was an honored guest at their house, and Martha has fussing and busying herself with the many details of hospitality. She was exasperated that her sister Mary was apparently not doing her share of the work and simply sitting near Jesus. Martha must have been surprised when Jesus calmed her (the famous line “Martha, Martha”) and said Mary has chosen “the better part” and it will not be taken away from her.
The better part? What is that? Wasn’t Mary just sitting at Jesus’ feet and doing nothing? No. The Gospel says she was “listening to him speak.”
We need to listen to Jesus. This is the only way we can know that our Christian activity is truly grounded. Listening to Jesus means giving time to him each day in prayer and contemplation, to literally sit at his feet and bask in his divine wisdom and generous love. Christian action must spring from hearing the Word of God.
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Entrance Antiphon See, I Have God for My Help (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #145
The Entrance Antiphon is taken from Psalm 54: “See, I have God for my help. The Lord sustains my soul.” This underscores the lesson from today’s Gospel.
Entrance Chant Jesus Is Here (Cooper Ray and Steve Angrisano)
Breaking Bread #319
Cooper and Steve’s uplifting song is a reminder to us that Jesus lights our way to salvation. Listen to him! You will find the sheet music in the link above.
Responsorial Psalm He Who Does Justice (Ken Canedo)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 272
This contemporary verbatim setting of Psalm 15 brings together the Gospel’s call to do justice even as we live in God’s presence.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of Restoration (Josh Blakesley and Leland G. “Grae” McCullough, IV)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 274
Once again, the acclamation verse helps us to focus on the teaching of today’s Gospel.
Preparation of the Gifts Only in God (John Michael Talbot)
Breaking Bread #578
This beloved classic by John Michael Talbot invites us to rest in the God who alone is our salvation.
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Communion Antiphon Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock [Option 2] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #147
The text of Option 2 invites us to let Jesus into our lives. “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door to me, I will enter his house and dine with him.”
Communion Chant You Are Welcome Here (Chris Muglia)
Breaking Bread #302
“You Are Welcome Here” is a song that sings of Martha’s gracious hospitality. But notice the bridge that sings of Mary’s gift for contemplation: “Open your heart; discover your place and purpose. Open your eyes; see the new life that awaits you here.”
Sending Forth All That We Have Seen (Sarah Hart)
Breaking Bread #383
Sarah’s song sends us forth from this liturgy to “show the world all that we have seen” and “tell the world all that we have heard.”
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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