Mary and Martha - And Me

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38 -42  

This year for Advent Quiet Day on December 9, the Daughters of the King are decorating the Parish Hall with masterpieces of religious art. One of those paintings is Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, by Johannes Vermeer.

The painting shows Jesus’s friend Mary sitting at His feet and listening attentively. Meanwhile Martha, who has been distracted by many household tasks, is presenting Jesus some bread to eat. While Martha serves, Mary sits.

If Jesus showed up at my house, would I be like Martha, serving Him fresh-baked bread, or like Mary, just sitting?  Probably I’d be like Martha.

That’s why amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas, I look forward to Advent Quiet Day, when I can set aside my Martha-like tasks and go to church to just sit quietly like Mary - to pray, reflect and remember that’s what Jesus calls us to do, to sometimes serve and to sometimes sit.

Jesus, teach us to serve you without distraction or self-righteousness, and to remember we are called as your disciples to both serve and sit. Amen.