Luciano Pavarotti was an Italian operatic Tenor.

(A tenor is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is one of the highest of the male voice types)

He made numerous recordings of complete operas and individual arias, gaining worldwide fame for the brilliance and beauty of his tone, and eventually established himself as one of the finest tenors of the 20th century.

Luciano relates:

“When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of singing.
>> He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice.

Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil.

I also enrolled in a teachers college.

On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’

“Luciano,” my father replied, ‘if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them.

For life, you must choose one chair.’

“I chose one.

>> It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance.
>> It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera.

And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, writing a book–whatever we choose–we should give ourselves to it.

Commitment, that’s the key.
>> Choose one chair!”

Often we try to find joy and satisfaction in life, by trying to adjust and fit into many “chairs”.

>> We end up in frustrations and irritation and bitterness.
>> Our life gets entangled into a lot of annoyance and resentment

The Result: We feel life is totally unfair to us… We complain.. We argue!

The Gospel of the Day reflects this common trend of our lives through the incident of Jesus in the house of Martha and Mary.

During his journey of ministry, Jesus came to a village and was welcomed in the house of Martha and Mary.

Martha demonstrates great hospitality by welcoming Jesus into the home.
>> She gets busy with the tasks of serving their honoured Guest.

Mary, on the other side, displays great devotion and love, by sitting at the feet of Jesus
>> She gets immersed into spending time, with the revered Rabbi.

This incident could raise a few reactions that we could generally have towards Martha and Mary….

1. Appreciating  the courage and devotion of Mary
>> The position adopted by Mary was something contrary to the fixed norms for a Jewish woman.

She sat the the feet of Jesus, just as a student would, while learning at the feet of a Rabbi.
> This was a role, reserved for men.

Yet, Mary “chose the better part” (Lk 10: 42)

2. Being critical of Martha
>> Martha is very often portrayed in a very negative light as being too nagging and pestering.

She had got herself busy in preparing for the comfortable stay of the guest, which was a pretty normal and expected thing to do.
> This was a role, expected of all women, in general

3. Considering Mary as being lazy
>> The fact that the Gospel fails to mention any role of Mary in the “process of hospitality” could cause us to think that Mary was lazy or avoiding the responsibility of duty.

4. Feeling emphatic for Martha
>> Martha was only doing the natural duty that was part of her office – taking care of the guests.

it was natural that, seeing her sister not helping, caused irritation to her.

Besides all these possible reactions to the incident, it is also good to reflect on the words of Christ to Martha, which gives us a deep pointer for reflection.

Jesus tells Martha, ““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” (10:41-42).

The Lord extends an invitation to Martha to examine her approach…

Jesus is not against her actions of service and of providing a comfortable hospitality.

But he is concerned that Martha is too” worried and distracted”

The Greek word used for “distracted” is “periespato”

>>  “Periespato” means to be pulled or dragged in different directions

As a result of this high degree of distraction….
>> Martha fails to maintain an important and basic dimension of hospitality – giving due attention to the guest
>> Martha also seeks to cause a humiliation for her sister, Mary, in public
>> Martha even goes on to accuse Jesus of “not caring about her”

We live in a world where we are prone to get easily “distracted” – to be pulled or dragged in different directions – like Martha.

But can we seek to overcome this crippling tendency by “choosing the better part” of giving whole attention to the Lord and to His Kingdom.

Very often…
… our best intentions in life can get spoilt due to our tendency to over-worry or be over-anxious.
… our noblest deeds of works can be marred due to our unnecessary outbursts of irritation and distractions

Life offers us many “chairs” – choices – which can distract us, cause us irritation and take away our focus from what is most basic and most important.

May we ask the grace to choose the “one thing that is needed” – the one “chair” – of being committed to the Lord and His Kingdom, so that we can enjoy true peace and joy in life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!