Dcn Brigid Waszczak

“[Jesus] entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  —Luke 10:38-42, Authorized KJV

Sisters and Brothers,

I intentionally selected the Authorized KJV translation of this passage because it says, “Mary… also sat at Jesus’ feet…” Some scripture translations omit “also.” That one word implies Mary was assisting Martha with meal prep but was also sitting at the feet of Jesus. She did both. Martha’s complaint implies Mary is not helping her at all. Not the case!

Martha received Jesus into her house, made him welcome. But then, she took her focus off Jesus to concentrate on meal preparation.

When we visited my Scottish grandmother, she’d barely greet us at the door before rushing to put on the tea kettle, plating cookies, and setting out the teacups. We didn’t visit or talk with her until everyone sat to sip tea. Even then, she popped up and down from the table to bring additional goodies or fill another teapot.

As a kid, I was confused. We came to see her, but she was more interested in serving tea than visiting with us. This is Martha’s dilemma.

Martha allows herself to become distracted by the demands of serving Jesus a meal. Mary’s posture at the feet of Jesus (the stance of students learning “at the feet of” their Rabbi), implies her focus continues to be on Jesus, their guest. Mary is a “both/and” kind of gal!

How often do we forget our original purpose? Losing focus leads to frustration, feeling overburdened, and put upon.

When I’ve volunteered for a ministry, as soon as I focus on how much I’m doing, how much work I’m putting in, and forget why I volunteered in the first place (to serve others in Christ), I become resentful, like complaining Martha.

It’s not a choice between being a “Martha” or a “Mary,” it’s losing focus that causes our crankiness.

May it be so.

—Dcn Brigid