The traditional understanding of today’s first reading is that without being aware of it, Abraham was visited by angels, who communicated to him God’s will.

Today’s second reading conveys a different set of circumstances or method by which God conveys His will, i.e. adversity and affliction, which St. Paul recognizes as an opportunity to more deeply unite ourselves with the dying and rising of Christ. St. Paul interpreted his life experiences in the light of God’s will for him.

Today’s Gospel asks us to recognize the need for focus and a hierarchy of values which put God first. Jesus does not demean the necessary services rendered by Martha. Rather, He points out that Mary’s focus is more intense. We contemporary Americans tend to prefer material achievements over spiritual and intellectual progress. We need to take the time and effort to meditate on how we perceive God’s will for us in our particular life experiences.

To do so successfully, we need to regularly drop the physical activities and use the time for prayer.