Fr. Kevin Drew: Choosing the Better Part: What “Active” Mass Participation Ought to Be

The Lord appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre.

Aterebinth was a large tree, and Mamre was a sacred shrine about fifteen miles south of Jerusalem.  It was there the Lord came to dinner, accompanied by two angels.  Abraham told them to rest under the tree and brought them food so they might refresh themselves before continuing on.

Centuries later, about two miles east of Jerusalem, the Lord came to dinner again, accompanied by disciples.  At the first dinner party, the angels told Abraham that he and his elderly wife would have a baby.  At the second dinner party, Martha of “Martha and Mary” fame, acted like a baby.

Christ gently lectured Martha that Mary’s contemplation at His feet was the better part that would not be taken from her.  Note that He did not say it was the only part, but the better one. …