In yesterday's Scripture reading, Jesus told us to be good neighbors like the Samaritan who gave hands-on service to the beaten man whom he found on the road (Lk 10:33-36). In today's reading, we meet another good neighbor, Martha. However, Jesus criticizes Martha instead of putting her forth as a model of a good neighbor as He did with the Samaritan. Yet that doesn't mean Martha wasn't good while the Good Samaritan was. In fact, when Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part, this implies that Martha's part was good. We don't usually say something is better than bad, but better than good. Thus Martha was a good Samaritan too, but Jesus was calling her to become a better Samaritan.

It's good to be a neighbor, but better to be a brother or sister. It's good to serve the poor, but better to sit at the feet of the poor Man from Nazareth, Jesus. It's good to talk to Jesus, but better to listen to Him. Don't be robbed of the better by settling for the good. If you choose the better portion, you will not be deprived of it (Lk 10:42).

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Bishop-Elect, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 26, 2011 (for 10-1-2011 through 11-29-2011) and May 26, 2011 (for 11-30-2011)

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