Martha and Mary

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” - Luke 10:41-42

My wife always marvels at the story of Martha and Mary. She says that Jesus should have told Mary to go and help Martha with the serving. I always disagree and say, "I think Jesus knew what he was doing." So what was he doing?

First of all, Jesus is teaching a woman in Palestine of the first century. She is sitting at the feet of the Master just as the disciples did. This was something unheard of at the time. It affirms Jesus' respect for women. Second, he is telling Martha that the task of serving is distracting her from what is important, that of sitting and learning from the teacher.

So is Jesus saying that Martha's choice is less important than Mary's? Yes. Because Mary's choice is focused on Christ while Martha's is focused on herself. Jesus admonishes us to choose as Mary did and follow him rather than be distracted by the cares of the world which bring us burdens.

St. Martha, pray for us.