Martha & Mary

from Sacred Space -



Luke 10:38-42
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

Some thoughts on today's scripture:

Jesus repeats Martha's name with deep affection as he chides her. She will have remembered the message: Stop fussing. Because she learned the lesson, it is Martha, not Mary, who has a place in the calendar of saints (on 29th July). It is sometimes the things we are told in public reproof that touch us deepest and bring us close to God. Lord, save me from being a hyperactive fusspot, from imagining you brought me into the world to help you out of a jam. Teach me the pleasures of contemplation.