Today's Gospel in Art - Martha works; Mary listens

The Little Potato Peeler, by Albert Anker 1886 © Christian Art

Gospel of 6th October 2020 - Luke 10:38-42

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.' But the Lord answered: 'Martha, Martha,' he said 'you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.'

Reflection on the Painting

I arrived back in Rome two days ago to continue my studies at the seminary. If I could ask you to kindly keep all of us seminarians in your prayers as we continue our journey to God. It is a blessing to be able to spend so much time with Christ, every day, in prayer and in study. As the new academic year starts, please pray especially for my brethren here at the Pontifical Beda College and also my other brothers who study for the Diocese of Westminster. Thank you. You prayers will help us to continue to discern God's will for us...

In our Gospel reading of today we read about how Martha was becoming too worried about the household chores, missing the opportunity to learn from the direct wisdom of Jesus. When she goes on pleading to Jesus that Mary should help her, He responds to her saying, 'You worry and fret about so many things'. Jesus is calling us to give our full attention to Him when we are in his presence and not to worry too much. May we as seminarians at the start of the new academic year, notice Christ's presence with renewed freshness every day and trust fully in Him that He will lead the way.

Our Swiss born painter, Albert Anker, depicts a beautiful portrait of a young lady peeling potatoes in a kitchen. It could be Martha, it could be us. Potatoes are considered to be the 'second bread', as they are affordable and nutritious. Whilst this is not an overtly Christian painting, it is a nevertheless a very meditative canvas which I have always liked... There is great beauty in the simplicity of task she performs. I pray we may also see great beauty in the studies we will do this year...

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/566

Christian Art - www.christian.art