Reflecting on the parable of the Good Shepherd (Luke 10:38-42), I talked about seeing, knowing and helping at the 9:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Masses at the St. Francis Chapel in the Prudential Center in Boston on Sunday, July 20, 2025.

The recording is from the 5:30 p.m. Mass.

Text of the homily

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.”

Anxiety twists us inward, looking only at our problems and our frustrations. We are not present fully to others, just as Martha was not in the Gospel.

From a place of hurt, she judges Jesus and asks, “Lord, do you not care?” (She really says, “Lord, you don’t care.”)

This is never true. Jesus always loves her and supports her in her loving service. If she wants help, a simple request would do: “Jesus, I need help.”

An episode of “The Chosen” captures this moment well; Jesus affirms the goodness of hospitality, which he mentioned in his preaching and the first reading recounts to us. Then, Lazarus and some disciples helped Martha serve the food.

However, in his great love for us, Jesus desires us to be with him and receive His words and His love. This Mary did and was praised for it.

What would have happened if Martha allowed Jesus to be present to her in her serving? The service would not be a burden, rather a joy because she serves Jesus, our loving God and redeemer.

This Martha would do after the raising of Lazarus. The Gospel of John says, “They gave a dinner for [Jesus] there, and Martha served.” The joy and goodness in the Lord replace worry and burden.

Jesus loves Martha and Mary. To Jesus, the sisters are not in opposition because they represent two harmonious parts of the Christian life: service to others and contemplation of God. Pope St. John Paul II teaches that service leads to contemplation and contemplation leads to service.

What is our lesson? Founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, Fr. Bruno Lanteri teaches that no matter what we do, we remind ourselves once and a while that Jesus is with us. Whether we work, exercise, study, eat or have fun, we pause briefly with a glance at a crucifix or an image of Jesus, who loves us.

         This lesson applies to our prayers and to our participation at Mass. We bring many burdens, worries and distractions to our prayers and worship.

But Jesus loves us here and now and He desires that we surrender all those things to him. We should say calmly, “Lord, here I am. Here are my problems. I’m back with you.”

Love, serve and be present with the Lord.