So often, we hear the story of Mary and Martha as a set-up. Which is better: contemplation or action?

At first, Jesus’ response seems to side with contemplation. Mary who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what He was saying – has chosen the “better part.” But just a few verses earlier, Jesus said to “go and do likewise.” So which is it – “sit and contemplate” or “go and do”?

Martha was doing what Jesus commands us to do: welcoming the stranger, extending hospitality. In fact, when Jesus says she was “distracted by many tasks,” he actually uses the Greek word, diakonia, which means service – so it is better translated that she was distracted by doing all the service, all the ministry.

But Martha is so worried and distracted by doing it all that she sees Jesus himself as just another resource that she has to mobilize. “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.”

The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed – indeed only one.”

Martha needed Jesus. Apart from Jesus, we remain under the illusion that we are in control, that we direct the course and action of all the things. We suffer from the weight of the world on our shoulders, because we feel like it is ours alone to carry.

Martha tries to tell Jesus what to do.

Mary, on the other hand, listens to and learns from Jesus.

I suspect all of us have a bit of Mary and a bit of Martha in us – or rather, times when we find it easier to remain open to Jesus’ presence like Mary – and times when we white-knuckle it with Martha’s control.

The good news is that Jesus’ love is for us at all times, giving us the strength and power to “go and do likewise” by sharing that love with others.

You are loved!