Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
"You are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." These are the words that Jesus says to Martha when she protests that Mary is sitting down, listening to Jesus to speak, and not helping Martha in her domestic duties. Jesus’ rebuke should not be understood as a chastisement against Martha for working and a contrary praising of Mary for sitting at Jesus’ feet. Rather, Jesus is rebuking an attitude, a mindset.
Jesus says “you are anxious and worried about many things.” The issue for Jesus is Martha’s excessive anxiety about her affairs - excessive to the point that she would deprive Mary of valuable time with Jesus. Sometimes we can be so anxious about what we are doing that we can be envious of the blessings that others receive. We can even be blind to the fact that our very own work allows others to be blessed. Martha’s work allowed Mary to sit at Jesus’ feet. May we always have a mind that is open to seeing even our mundane work as being graced and instrumental to others receiving grace. Likewise, when we are basking in the grace of God, may we be gratefully mindful of all the work that others do to make those moments possible.