Mary and Martha

In today’s (10/8) gospel, we read the story of Martha and Mary.  Martha is busy serving and completing tasks while her sister Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and listens.  When we hear this gospel passage, we are often asked to reflect on who we are in the story: are we more of a Martha or Mary?  And oftentimes, Martha gets criticized in this story.  But I think we are called to be both Martha and Mary.

In the passage, Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.  Mary has chosen the better part…” (Luke 10:41-42).  When we read this line we often believe that it must be true that Mary is doing what is more important and Martha’s worried about doing the wrong things and too busy serving.  But I don’t think Jesus is condemning her actions.  At the beginning of the passage, it says, “he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him” (Luke 10:38).  He was welcomed by her and surely must have appreciated her hospitality and service.  And Jesus calls her by name, gently drawing her attention to Him.

There is a right time and place for both Mary and Martha.  We need to work and serve, but if our service is not done with a focus on Jesus, it is in vain.  Jesus gently calls Martha back to Him, reminding her of what is important, and He does the same for us.  To sit in prayer with Jesus is what gives us the love, peace, and joy that we need in our work and in order to make our faith a way of life, to serve and work for Him.
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Today, instead of asking yourself if you’re a Mary or Martha, ask yourself if your priorities are properly ordered.  Ask yourself, are you taking time to be Mary, sitting with Jesus and being filled by His presence, so that you can go out and serve with love and joy, glorifying Him in your tasks?