Gospel: ACCORDING TO LUKE X' 38–42 – 38 It happened that as He went on His way, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha received Him into her house. 39 And a sister called Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she came to Him and said: 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.' 41 And Jesus answered and said to her: 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed. Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.'
ACCORDING TO LUKE XI' 27–28
27 Now as He said these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him: 'Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which You nursed!' 28 But He said: 'Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'
Interpretive rendering by Panagiotis N. Trebelas
ACCORDING TO LUKE X' 38–42
38 While the disciples and those following Jesus were heading toward Jerusalem, it happened that Jesus entered a certain village; and a woman, named Martha, received Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister, called Mary, who not only received Jesus as Martha did, but also sat near His feet as a humble disciple and listened attentively and without distraction to His teaching.
40 Martha, however, was busy and overwhelmed with much work, caring to prepare the food and to attend to the Teacher. After standing near Christ, she said: 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me alone to serve and to prepare the table? Tell her, then, to help me.'
41 And Jesus answered and said to her: 'Martha, Martha, your mind is occupied by anxious cares and your body is weary from preparing so many things. 42 One thing is useful and necessary: the listening to My teaching, which is spiritual nourishment, necessary for the soul. Mary chose the good and beneficial part, which will never be taken away from her. For the benefits of this part of spiritual food are not temporary and perishable, but spiritual and eternal.'
ACCORDING TO LUKE XI' 27–28
27 While Jesus was saying these things, a woman from the crowd, enthralled by His teaching, raised a loud voice and said: 'Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which You nursed!' That is to say, blessed is the mother who gave birth to You and nourished You.
28 But He said: 'Truly, my mother is blessed; but do not forget that primarily those are blessed who hear the word of God and keep it.' In such a way that she too, who gave birth to Me and nursed Me, attained this honor because she always kept the word of God.