The text is Luke 10: 38-42. (See below.)
My heart goes out to Martha and all like her. She (they) wanted to be a proper hostess, as was the custom in that culture. She was overwhelmed by her visitors and was totally flustered.
Ok, complaining to Jesus was uncalled for. Instead, “stiff upper lip“ and carry on (likely me in her place).
Would it have been OK, even better, for her to have joined Mary, and abandoned all hostess duties, perhaps counting on Jesus for a transition from teaching to socializing (when she could finish her hostess duties)? Or is this story really just a lesson about the true priorities for Christians, and avoiding worldly distractions?
Luke 10:
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Peace.
My heart goes out to Martha and all like her. She (they) wanted to be a proper hostess, as was the custom in that culture. She was overwhelmed by her visitors and was totally flustered.
Ok, complaining to Jesus was uncalled for. Instead, “stiff upper lip“ and carry on (likely me in her place).
Would it have been OK, even better, for her to have joined Mary, and abandoned all hostess duties, perhaps counting on Jesus for a transition from teaching to socializing (when she could finish her hostess duties)? Or is this story really just a lesson about the true priorities for Christians, and avoiding worldly distractions?
Luke 10:
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Peace.
