Gospel Story: Mary and Martha

The story of Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha is one of the better known stories in the Bible. It gives us an insight into Jesus and his friendships.

The two sisters and their brother Lazarus lived in Bethany, near Jerusalem, and kept ‘open house’ for Jesus and his disciples. Naturally. visits like these could be stressful to the household.

On one such occasion, Martha is busy providing a meal for Jesus and his friends, and is resentful that Mary, her sister, is listening to Jesus instead of helping in the household chores. Outspoken woman that she is, she tells Jesus so!

In reply, Jesus takes Martha’s complaint to another level. It’s true that seeing to one’s guests is time consuming and demands attention to several details. Yet “one thing alone is necessary”, and Mary “has chosen rightly”. To listen to God’s word takes priority over fussing over preparations in the kitchen.

Traditionally, this episode has been interpreted to point to the importance of contemplation over action. But we may widen this interpretation. At various times in life, all of us experience the pressure of conflicting interests, and wonder what to do first.

Jesus’s answer helps us to focus: What is the one thing necessary to my life here and now? Am I, like Mary, listening to what the Lord is saying to my life at this moment, or am I simply caught up with various pressures?

Let’s pray that we do listen, and do not distract ourselves from hearing the answer.