Hospitality was of paramount importance for the people of ancient Israel, then and for many cultures still today. Many of us can instantly relate to Martha. She is doing what she is supposed to do to honor her guests by taking care to serve her them. Yet, when she calls on Jesus to tell Mary to join Martha in the serving, she has overstepped an accepted social norm. In this setting, the guest is not one to be brought in to settle a family issue.
There are shades of the parable of the prodigal son here also. Mary is inside while Martha is outside dutifully attending to the cooking and serving and not too happy about it like the elder son who is seething that the younger son has returned and is receiving a party. Jesus does not admonish her serving and hospitality, nor that she broke social etiquette, but says, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.”
What could Martha be worried about? Probably appropriate concerns, such as making sure the food is prepared, everybody has what they need, and when they need it. Also, she may be feeling harried and stressed thinking she has to do it all. Another point, which may be eating Martha up inside more than these other points, is that Mary is sitting at the foot of the teacher with the men, women are not supposed to do that! Maybe Martha would like to do the same but is afraid to step out of her comfort zone of what she believes is expected of her.
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.” There may be many other issues beyond just these mentioned stirring up in Martha’s mental storm.
Jesus’ response to Martha’s request is not to ask Mary to get up and help Martha, but to the surprise of all sitting who may have been just as scandalized as Martha, Jesus says, “Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
A thunder clap? A lightning strike to the heart of Martha? A response so in her face that Martha, and maybe for the first time in her life was anxiety free? Stunned for an instant, could she let go of her anxiety, break free of what she felt she should be doing and instead recognize that the Messiah is here in her home and join Mary and sit at his feet as well?
How many times have we found ourselves running on overdrive for unhealthy reasons because we are not dealing with our own issues and subconsciously believe, if we just work hard enough, those challenges will just go away, or at least we will be so tired we can sleep even if our rattling thoughts try to keep us awake? Doing good things but overdoing it because we receive validation and compliments instead of being satisfied with who we are as we are? We really don’t have to be on the go all the time, we can be, just be.
We too can stop and sit at the feet of Jesus. To be still and make time to follow his guidance about the best way to move forward in our sometimes harried lives can seem counterintuitive in the moment when there is another bill to pay, an unexpected illness, two or three papers are due, midterms on the horizon, the phone rings, a text dings, and an another email hums to make itself known, the tea kettle whistles, the baby cries… Time to hit silent mode, to press do not disturb, to shut the door, pick up and hold baby close, and just for five, breathe, and sit at the feet of Jesus and let him hold us close.
Over the long term, slowing down regularly is a more balanced approach. Allowing ourselves to be still, to breathe, to listen to the voice of Jesus speak in the silence of our hearts, can help us when life becomes too much. When we catch ourselves reacting or over-reacting to situations as Martha did instead of feeling at peace and acting, this is a hint that we may need to take a step back.
It is important to make time each day and at key times when an issue or issues warrant, to stop, breathe, and be still, to allow our hearts and minds to open to receive and abide in God’s love and ask for his guidance. Instead of reacting, we can instead seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, ask for the strength to receive some more energy, and the clarity of how best to move forward. Jesus will let us know as he did with Martha what is the better part in each given moment.
If we are worried and anxious about many or even some things, are we willing to let go and choose the better part? Even for five or ten?
Photo: Anxious thoughts can gather like an evening storm but when we trust in Jesus, he will see us through to the other side!
Spiritual Stepping Stones 