Homily of Tuesday in the 27th Week of the Ordinary Time, Year C. Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. 7th October, 2025. Fr Emmanuel Aghidi C.S.Sp.
Texts: Jonah 3:1-10, Luke 10:38-42
In today’s Gospel, Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better part. But was Martha doing something wrong? Not at all. She was preparing a meal for their guest, a dear family friend, Jesus Himself. Her concern was understandable; she wanted everything to be perfect for Him. Yet, she grew worried that Mary was not helping, but instead sat quietly at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words.
Friends, some things can be good but not necessarily right. The rightness of an act depends on context: on place, time, and purpose. In this case, what mattered most was the interest of the guest. What did Jesus, their Guest, truly desire? He longed not for a well-served meal, but for listening hearts open to His Word. It is like asking, “What can we offer You, Lord?” Sometimes, the best offering is not our service, but our presence, the willingness to sit, listen, and learn from Him.
Today, we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, a woman of deep listening and contemplation, one who, like the Mary in today’s Gospel, chose the better part of sitting at the feet of Jesus.
We too can learn from her example. Like Mary, we are invited to present our presence as a present to our Lord, offering Him not just our words or works, but our attentive hearts. He longs for our friendship, our love, and our companionship as brothers and sisters in faith.
May the Lord bless His words in our hearts, and may Our Lady of the Rosary intercede for us, that we may always choose the better part.
Amen.
