
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
”Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
This story takes on more meaning for me today in our context of “balance.” I suppose we all have Mary and Martha within us, each winning out at various points in our day. The question I have is this: was Martha wrong in busying herself with preparations and cooking, or was she wrong in asking Jesus to send Mary to help her? I am thinking Martha was so preoccupied with getting ready, that she did not recognize the significance of the visit and the visitor? So, I suppose she was wrong on both counts. Work does need to get done, there is no question there. But at what expense?
Holy Lord, what a beautiful Easter we have had, celebrating you! Thank you for the many opportunities we have to see you working among us. Help us to be present, and ready, when those opportunities come our way. Amen
Becky, transforming
Luke 10:38 to 42 I have been Martha. Today I am more Mary, but still a lot of Martha. As I read and reread the story this morning, I would like to change Jesus’ response. Instead of comparing her to Mary, who is doing the right thing, I wish he had taken her hand and pulled her down to sit beside him and then said what he said. But the Bible doesn’t say that. We don’t even know if Martha did listen to Jesus and join Mary and the group. I hope she did. Prayer, gracious God: I am trying to be more like Mary, but I know there’s still a lot of Martha in me. Help me be Mary. Amen
Luke 10: 38-42
“Martha; Martha;” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed---or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Jesus is not telling Martha that her service is not important, but that her worry needs to be grounded. I am like Martha when I entertain family or friends. I am so busy with the preparation that I sometimes miss the most important, spending time with those I love. I feel that Jesus is not putting Martha down but telling her that Mary chose the better way to honor God. Following Christ is becoming like Martha and Mary, we just need…
Luke 10: 38-42 41“Martha; Martha;” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed---or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
I think these verses show real life in that the distractions are important to everyday existence. Jesus probably would not have been happy if the preparations had not been completed, but he exaggerated what was really needed, and that was attention to his words. The balance here may be to pay attention to his word first and think about them as we carry out our other duties.
Dear Lord I hope you are looking for balance in my life and not…
Luke 10:38-42
Many job descriptions begin with such comments as "must be able to multitask". I believe that most of us are able to multitask: Many times in my life I needed to be able to handle more than one thing at a time. I Have learned from experience That multitasking should not be the normal way to live on a daily basis. Trying to do many things at once creates stress and presents many more problems preventing us from enjoying life. When Martha got very busy and distracted with all her serving, God reminded her that only one thing was necessary at that moment And Mary had chosen the right Way. I need to be more like Mary who…
Luke 10:38-42
This episode could be interpreted as having many layers of meaning. In particular, the translation that has Jesus say, “Mary has chosen the more excellent way.” In this phrasing, He acknowledges Martha’s efforts as good, but resets her priorities. Perhaps he saw in her heart a drift from service to honor God to service to gain praise for herself. Another reading I did this morning applies here. This is from “The Daily Dig,” a daily devotional from the publishers of Plough magazine:
Work Gives God Glory
Gerard Manley Hopkins
It is not only prayer that gives God glory but work. Smiting on an anvil, sawing a beam, whitewashing a wall, driving horses, sweeping, scouring, everything gives God some…