Thoughts for the Day

Now as they went on their way, he 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.’

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

For much of my early life I took a positive dislike to this story of Martha and Mary, for it seemed as though the life of prayer, contemplation, and learning was seen as the better way to live. I felt that Jesus was saying to those who worked hard and were busy for the Church, (ie to the 'Martha's'), that they were second-class Christians. As a practical person I took exception to this. I could organise a pilgrimage for a thousand people; produce Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress' again and again; read the whole of the Bible aloud; run a large choral society or choir; and raise money for a variety of things. So the fact that Jesus seemed to be denigrating those with practical skills really bugged me! Why should the life of contemplation be extolled at the expense of those who used their practical skills for God.

But of course this is not what Jesus is saying. We should remember that in the Middle East, hospitality is sacrosanct, and travellers and visitors are always to be welcomed. Indeed Jesus commands us to be generous to those who cannot return out hospitality (see Luke 14.12-14). When Martha asks Jesus to rebuke her sister for not helping her, his words are to remind her that her practical gifts should not distract her from her love of God.

Following Jesus means we should have a personal relationship with Him - draw close to Him and learn from Him, like Mary, but also be like Martha and show generous service to all.

Lord Jesus Christ,
draw us close to You,
so that we may learn more about You,
and contemplate Your glory
as Mary once listened to You.
Also enable us to mature as Christians
and be ready to welcome all who come to You
as Martha once served You.
Amen.