The Lord said to her in reply,
"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."
Which of us hasn't sympathized with Martha as we were caught up in all the things we had to do, that had to get done, and were royally P-O-ed when we found a companion sitting around with apparently nothing to do?
Like the story of the Prodigal Son, this incident ends without a resolution. We have only Jesus's reply to her demanding question. Someone must ask, "And then what happened?" Did Martha sit down next to Mary and listen to Jesus? More likely, she threw up her hands in exasperation and stormed back into the chaos of the kitchen. But we call her a saint so she must have come around at some point.
We're given this story for our reflection. What would I do if I were Martha in that situation? What was going on with her?
Apparently, the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus was a familiar, safe place for Jesus. The Shunnamite woman and her husband provided a similar home away from home to Elisha. It was close enough to Jerusalem for an easy stroll into the city, and far enough to remove him from the noises and distractions of urban life. There was room for him and his disciples to rest, refresh, and recollect. But sometimes the family was caught off guard by their arrival.
And Martha, of course, felt obliged to provide more than the one thing necessary. A hostess wants to provide lavishly for all the guests expected and unexpected. They should not run out of wine as happened in Cana; or food, like the five thousand in the wilderness.
If she had heard these stories, they didn't apply to her. Or so she thought.
Finally, what was the one thing needed? Is this where Saint Paul replies, "faith," or perhaps, "grace?"
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Faith must be the foundation of everything we feel, think, and do. It is an attitude prepared to deal with any situation. That is, faith is a gracious attitude, and a sense of humor about oneself.
So when a hungry crowd shows up unexpectedly in the living room, our grace-filled, faithful Martha might provide for them but she will understand -- and they had better understand -- that they can be satisfied with whatever they get, whether its enough, or delicious, or falls within their peculiar cultural and dietary limitations. And if their hunger is neither appeased nor their expectations satisfied, they can -- (to put it politely) -- curb a curb on their tongues.
For they too should know that only one thing is needed, and it's not food.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.