Genesis 18:1-10/ Colossians 1:24-28/ Luke 10:38-42
Generally speaking, there are two types of personalities: the extrovert and the introvert.
But this is just a broad generalization. Between the extrovert and the introvert, there is also a mixture of both types of characters.
And people may not really be what they seem to be.
For example, those who sit at the front seats may not be extroverts who like to be seen sitting there.
Just that probably they were ushered to the front. And if they happen to be an introvert, then it is going to be awkwardly shy for them to sit there and to be seen there.
And those who are at the back may not necessarily be introverts. They may be extroverts who like to see everything (not a bird’s eye view but a back-eye view)
And in a social gathering or meeting, there are those back-benchers who will voice their views aloud so that everyone can hear them and that everyone will have to turn their heads and look at them when they speak.
That may not always be the case but introverts and extroverts have certain obvious traits that characterizes them as such.
One of which is that extroverts are expressive, like to talk and make their presence felt. The introverts would be quietly at the corner and hoping that they won’t be noticed.
But the extroverts and introverts and all those in between make life interesting and there is a lot that we can learn from extroverts as well as from introverts.
We can assume that Jesus Himself showed traits of an extrovert. He preaches, He teaches, He heals, He eats with sinners and tax collectors.
He is always with people. And that is what He came for – to be with people and to show them the face of God as well as to show them how much God loves them.
As much as Jesus can be called an extrovert, He was also very sensitive to the needs of the painfully shy introverts.
From the gospels, we know that Jesus reached out to those who spent their lives in dark corners and the back lanes of society.
During his time on earth, He reached out to sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, the despised and the discarded – He reached out to them all to show that God cares about them, and loves them.
Today’s gospel may not be talking about introverts and extroverts, but there is so much we can learn from Jesus about being caring and loving.
As we have heard in the gospel, Jesus was invited to the home of Martha and Mary.
And then we heard about Martha getting distracted with all the serving and then she complained to Jesus in these words: Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.
There is no need for us to analyze, but it is obvious that Martha is the extrovert type – she is expressive and impulsive, and even explosive.
And Jesus had to gently point out to her that she worry and fret over so many things, and yet few are needed; indeed only one.
And then comes the shocker when Jesus said: It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.
And just what is this “better part”. Martha would really want to know. Not just Martha, we too want to know.
And through all this exchange of words between Martha and Jesus, Mary was silent; there was not a word from her.
In fact, from the gospel accounts, Mary of Bethany didn’t seem to have much to say.
For example, in the gospel of John, about the account of the death of Lazarus, Martha went out to meet Jesus and said to Him: If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now, God will give you whatever you ask.
And that was Martha – bold and expressive and always have words ready on her lips, and strong words even.
Then Mary came along later, and when she saw Jesus, she fell at His feet and wept, and having no words of her own, she could only repeat what Martha said: Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
And when Jesus saw her weeping, He was deeply moved and He even wept.
So, Mary didn’t say anything more than Martha, and didn’t have anything new to say.
But her tears said it all, and that moved Jesus to tears.
In a later episode, a dinner was given in honour of Jesus and Martha was serving and Lazarus was at table with Jesus.
Then Mary came in, and without a word, she poured expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair.
When Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, criticized her action, it was Jesus who replied: Leave her alone. It was intended that she use this perfume for the day of my burial.
Well, it was that Mary, the one who does not say much, who somehow sensed the impending death of Jesus and she did what she could for him.
Indeed, Jesus was right. Mary had chosen the better part, because she could see what the better part was.
We may call Mary an introvert. She may not have many words, but she feels deeply for Jesus. She feels the heart of Jesus.
She sits at His feet; she weeps at His feet; she anoints His feet.
Extroverts may be at the head and shoulders and the introverts may be at where the lowly feet are.
But let us remember that Jesus is always with the lowly and the humble, and may I also say, that He is with the quiet and the introverted.
And as much as we may assume that Jesus is an extrovert, He may also be an introvert, in that He would often go off to a lonely place and sit at the feet of His Father in prayer to feel the love of His Father.
So let us also choose the better part. Let us sit at the feet of Jesus in prayer.
And when words are lacking, let there be love.
As long as we love with the heart of Jesus, we will not need too many words.