Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, by Jan Brueghel the Younger, and Peter Paul Rubens, 1628, © National Gallery Dublin, Ireland
Source: Christian Art
Gospel of 20 July 2025
Luke 10:38-42
At that time: Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’
Reflection on the painting
Hospitality is a key theme throughout the Gospels. Jesus himself extended hospitality to many, welcoming the outsider, sharing meals with sinners, and embracing the poor and the broken. He also accepted the hospitality of others, revealing that God is not only the host but also the guest. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is welcomed into the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha, who each offer him hospitality in different ways. Mary chooses to sit at his feet, listening intently to his words, while Martha busies herself with preparing an elaborate meal. From a human perspective, Martha’s actions seem entirely reasonable; after all, it is customary to offer drinks and maybe some nibbles when a guest enters our home.
But Jesus gently challenges this perspective. When Martha complains about Mary’s apparent inactivity, Jesus defends Mary’s choice. He reminds Martha that while service is good, it must not come at the cost of stillness, presence, and deep listening. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus often stands up for those who are judged or misunderstood, and here again, he upholds Mary’s posture of quiet attentiveness. The parable of the Good Samaritan, which precedes this passage, shows that love of God can mean practical action; but today’s reading reminds us that it can also mean sitting in silence and listening. True hospitality is not only about ‘doing’ for the Lord-it is also about simply ‘being’ with Him.
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, painted in 1628 by Jan Brueghel the Younger and Peter Paul Rubens, is a beautiful example of artistic collaboration between two of the Flemish Baroque era’s most celebrated painters. The landscape and exquisite still-life details (fruit, silverware, flowers) were executed by Brueghel, renowned for his intricate renderings of nature and domestic abundance. The expressive figures of Christ, Martha, and Mary are attributed to Rubens, whose dynamic and emotive style animates the theological heart of the scene. Their collaboration follows a family tradition: Rubens had previously painted figures for works by Jan Brueghel the Elder, and after his death in 1625, Rubens continued this partnership with Brueghel’s son (Brueghel the Younger).
While the Gospel of Luke typically inspired interior settings for this story, this painting is unusual in placing the scene outdoors, under a tranquil blue sky. Two scenes are depicted: the arrival of Jesus on the left two thirds of the painting and then what happens after he has arrived, on the right, where we see Martha in the kitchen. In the background, we see the Château de Mariemont, Summer residence of the Spanish regents Albert and Isabella, for whom both Rubens and Brueghel worked as court painters. The presence of the château suggests the work may have been intended for an aristocratic patron.
LINKS
Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today’s Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-10-38-42-2025/
Latest Video – The Face of Christ: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52811
