In today's Gospel (Luke 10:38-42), Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, learning more about God through him, while Martha busies herself preparing hospitality for Jesus and his friends, and grows irritated that her sister isn't doing her share. Brother Edward Van Merrienboer, coming to you from St. Vincent Ferrer Priory in River Forest, Illinois, reflects on this classic tension in Christian spirituality: which is more important, the active life or the contemplative life? The answer: most of us live both. We contemplate the love of God in our lives, and we express that love through service to our neighbor. Today's reflection also turns to the vital role women play in Christian communities. In every parish there are women who, while raising their families or after raising them, find time to serve: arranging the flowers for feast days, coordinating charitable works, running parish activities. The Church is sometimes less conscious than it should be of these contributions, though even at the Vatican level we now see competent women being appointed to important positions in the governance of the Church. Some of these women the Church has raised to the altar as saints. Most remain anonymous. So today, take a moment to thank God for the gifts women have brought to the Church through the centuries, and if there is someone in your parish who fits this description, stop and thank her for the reliable service that makes your community happen. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Welcome from St. Vincent Ferrer Priory, River Forest, IL 0:13 – Tuesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time 0:22 – Today's Gospel: Martha and Mary welcome Jesus 0:36 – The tension between the two sisters 1:02 – Active life or contemplative life? 1:16 – Most of us live both 1:32 – The role of women in Christian communities 1:55 – Practical examples from our own parish 2:10 – The Church and its awareness of women's contributions 2:17 – Women in positions of governance at the Vatican 2:30 – Called to be both contemplative and active 2:43 – Thanking God for the gifts of women through the centuries 3:06 – A suggestion: thank someone in your parish today 📖 Today's Gospel: Luke 10:38-42 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a daily Word of Hope. 👍 If this reflection encouraged you, give it a thumbs up and share it with someone who needs a word of hope today. #AWordOfHope #MarthaAndMary #CatholicReflection #DailyGospel #OrdinaryTime #Luke10 #WomenInTheChurch #ContemplativeLife #ActiveLife #CatholicFaith #Dominicans #DailyDevotional #GospelReflection #CatholicWomen #ChristianLiving #Catholic #Faith #Hope #Gratitude #RiverForest #StVincentFerrerPriory