Oct. 9: Tuesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I

Jan Vermeer van Delft, Christ in the House of Martha and Mary
National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1654

Readings for Mass
First Reading: Jonah 3:1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 130:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her (NRSV, Luke 10:41-42).’

Let us pray.

Father, Jesus has taught us that there is only one thing that matters and that is your coming kingdom. That is the reality that Jesus challenges us to accept and all of life's other decisions must be organized under it. How easy it is for us to be distracted by so many things, however important they may seem to be, when there is one choice that must govern all of the others and under which the others find their proper place. May all that we are and do, Father, find its center and focus in you.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.