38 As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him in her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. 40 Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!” 41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, 42 but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Other readings: Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15:1-5; Colossians 1:24-28
LECTIO
Martha invites Jesus for a meal in her home. Martha and Mary may be the sisters of Lazarus (see John 11:1-2) but we cannot be sure. While Martha prepares the meal Jesus continues teaching. Mary doesn’t help Martha but stays and listens to Jesus.
The phrase “sat down at the feet of” is significant. In other places it is used to describe the relationship between a disciple and his teacher (Luke 8:35, Acts 22:3). Radically departing from the cultural norms of the time, Jesus encourages women to learn about the Kingdom of God.
Luke doesn’t tell us what Jesus was talking about on this occasion; the focus is on Martha and Mary and their response to Jesus. Martha is frustrated. She is left doing all the work to get everything ready and Mary is doing nothing to help. She protests to Jesus, urging him to agree with her and ask Mary to give her a hand.
Martha must have been surprised by Jesus’s response. His answer goes well beyond the mundane domestic details of preparing a meal. Jesus gently criticises Martha for placing material needs above spiritual ones. It’s Mary who has got her priorities right by spending time listening to and learning from Jesus.
Jesus did not say that domestic work or house work is unimportant. He grew up in a family in Nazareth and knew the value of domestic routine in meeting family needs. Jesus underlines the importance of setting right priorities. The Kingdom of God must come first and this is equally true for both men and women. It is important to set aside time for family needs, and even more important to set aside time to spend with God, time when we are not too tired or distracted by other things.
This was Martha’s challenge. By giving too much importance to material needs and too little to spiritual matters she was missing an important opportunity to learn from Jesus.
MEDITATIO
Who do you identify with most in this story, Mary or Martha? What can you learn from this passage? Consider your own priorities in your daily life. Are you placing a high enough priority on your relationship with God? We all have responsibilities that require our time. Consider how you can serve and honour God in the way you fulfil your daily work and responsibilities.
ORATIO
Read over these Gospel verses again. Talk through your situation with God in prayer. He understands the everyday pressures and tiredness that can overwhelm us. Bring anything you are worried about to the Lord. Take some time to pray through the verses from Psalm 15. Find a few words which resonate with you, offer them to the Lord and wait to see what he will reveal to you.
CONTEMPLATIO
Read today’s verses from Colossians. Marvel at the privilege we share in having the Gospel message revealed to us. Allow the Holy Spirit to deepen this wonder in you.
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