Today’s Gospel: Luke 10, 38-42 – St. Martha
“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
In today’s gospel reading, Martha is overwhelmed with the busyness of her serving tasks and asks Jesus to prompt Mary to help her. Martha has chosen the self-sacrificing task of serving those who are guests in her home. This is a very giving thing of Martha to do. So why does it feel as if Jesus is taking Mary’s side, who sits enraptured at His feet, oblivious to the demanding tasks causing Mary such anxiety? Surely Martha could use some help!
I have pondered this passage for years, especially as a woman, since so much of my life is attending to the needs of others. I believe that Jesus is saying that no matter how busy I am or how hectic my life is, I am still called to make time to spend with Him one-on-one. Spending time at the feet of Jesus, in our time, means one-on-one with him in prayer, worship, and adoration.
As mothers and grandmothers, we are often consumed with the tasks of caring for the needs of others. And that is a beautiful calling. But Christ’s words to Martha make it clear that time with Him is the best thing we can do for ourselves. We need that time to refresh our spirits and rectify our attitudes such that we can to give of ourselves with joyful self-sacrifice. No matter how busy we are, no matter how demanding our daily schedule, Jesus says that the best thing in our lives is building our relationship with Him. From this quality time with Jesus, every other good thing springs forth.

Ponder:

When I help others do I do it joyfully or do I feel sorry for myself? Am I making time with Jesus so that my “love” battery is fully charged?

Pray:

My dear Lord and Savior, give me ears to hear you inviting me to spend one-on-one time with you in prayer, worship, and adoration, no matter how crazy my life gets. Give me a heart of joy that allows me to give to others from the wellspring of my time spent with you.

Copyright 2016 Meggie K. Daly
Maggie K. Daly blogs at themagdaleneletters.blogspot.com. She is the mother of six adult children and three grandchildren. She is writing her first novel ever so slowly between her ministry work and part-time University Math teaching. She is a retired research scientist.