A reading from the gospel according to Luke 10:38-42
38 Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
39 She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
40 Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.”
41 The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
42 There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
Reflection: Worried about many things.
Good News: Choose the better part and it will not be taken from you.
Jesus had a special relationship with a family whose members were Martha, Mary and Lazarus. The three lived in the village of Bethany, around 2 miles or 3.2 kilometers from Jerusalem. Obviously, the family has a high status in the community with enough resources to welcome Jesus and His disciples.
Martha became very busy to make Jesus and his entourage comfortable with food to eat and a place to rest. Mary, on the other hand, sat at His feet and listened attentively to His teachings. Martha asked Jesus to let Mary help her but instead, Jesus tenderly pointed to her how worried she was about many things but Mary chose the better part – that is, taking the opportunity to listen to the Word of God and no one will take this privilege away from her.
Martha was busy and so was Mary. The former was distracted but the latter was focused. We can say, Martha was the active and pragmatist person while Mary was the contemplative one. The two sisters need each other. There is a need to do the kitchen works but more importantly, there is a need to take all opportunities for prayer and listening to the Word of God.
Many people relate so much with Martha. With a lot of work to be done, they become anxious and they lose their peace of mind. Jesus is telling us one thing that we really need: focus. If you are doing the household task, focus on it with joy and enthusiasm. Yet, be like Mary too. If it is your prayer time, concentrate on it and no one should distract you. The secret to a happy and successful life is balance between work and prayer which includes listening to the Word of God.
*****What will you do when a famous personality visits your home unannounced? Perhaps you’ll panicked because you are caught unprepared. Maybe you will quickly fix the sofa so the visitor may sit comfortably and rush to the kitchen to make food and drinks. But what if suddenly the visitor does not like to eat anything?
On the other hand, what about if you have been told that a famous person is coming to your house? You may not panic but you would still be anxious and perhaps summon the whole household to make the necessary preparation. This was the case of Martha in our gospel reading above. Jesus said she was anxious and worried about many things.
Indeed, many times we are so caught up with worldly things that we often forget how to enjoy life. Many times we are worried about the things money can buy that we forget the things that money cannot buy. Many times we are so engaged with work that we forget why we are working in the first place. Let’s think also of rest but above all, think why we are living in the first place. Are we alive just to work?
Jesus is telling us that there are more important things than just work and food. The gospel is telling us that Jesus is more important than anything else. It is telling us that the Word is more important than work.
*****
This is the story of two sisters, Martha and Mary, who welcome Jesus into their home. Martha, eager to serve, busily prepares the meal and ensures everything is in order. Meanwhile, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, soaking in His words. As Martha grows increasingly frustrated with her sister’s lack of help, she asks Jesus to intervene. But instead of rebuking Mary, Jesus gently responds, “Martha, Martha, 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.”
This passage challenges us to evaluate our own lives. Are we more like Martha, overwhelmed by daily tasks and responsibilities, or like Mary, taking the time to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen?
1. Prioritizing Presence Over Productivity
Martha’s intentions were good; she wanted to serve Jesus to the best of her ability. However, her focus on tasks made her anxious and distracted, causing her to miss the joy of being in Jesus’ presence. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to fall into the same trap. We fill our schedules with activities, responsibilities, and commitments, striving to be productive. But in doing so, we often neglect what truly matters which is our relationship with God. This story reminds us that while work is important, it should never overshadow our time with Jesus. It’s not about doing more but about being present with Him.
2. Finding Peace in His Presence
When we choose to sit at the feet of Jesus, like Mary, we experience His peace. The world may be chaotic, but His presence calms our hearts. He offers us rest and reassurance that no amount of worry or busyness can provide. By taking time to read the Bible, pray, and worship, we connect with God in a way that renews our strength and brings clarity to our lives. This is the “better part” that Mary chose, and it’s available to us if we make room for it.
3. Balancing Service and Worship
It’s essential to recognize that serving is not wrong; it becomes an issue when it distracts us from God. Both Martha and Mary had different ways of expressing their love for Jesus — Martha through service and Mary through worship. The key is finding a balance between the two. God calls us to serve others, but He also desires our undivided attention and devotion. By prioritizing our relationship with Him, we’re better equipped to serve others with a heart full of love and joy.
4. Choosing What Is Eternal
Jesus said, “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Our work, achievements, and possessions are temporary, but the time we spend with God has eternal value. When we invest in our relationship with Him, we build a foundation that lasts beyond this life. Our hearts are transformed, and we grow in wisdom, strength, and faith.
In essence, the story of Martha and Mary encourages us to examine our lives and prioritize what matters most. Are we caught up in endless tasks, or are we taking time to sit at the feet of Jesus? Let’s be intentional about choosing the “better part” — a life centered on His presence. When we do, we’ll find that everything else falls into place, and we’ll experience the peace, joy, and fulfillment that only God can provide.
*****
When Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, the scene was filled with contrasts. Martha, eager to make everything perfect, busied herself with serving and preparing. She wanted the meal to be excellent, the home in order, and the guest cared for in every detail. Meanwhile, Mary sat quietly at Jesus’ feet, listening to His words, giving Him her full attention. Both loved Him deeply, but their responses revealed two approaches to life: one consumed by tasks, the other anchored in presence.
This story speaks to us today because we live in a world that often values busyness over stillness, doing over being, performance over presence. Like Martha, we often measure our worth by how much we accomplish. Yet, Mary’s example reminds us that the most important thing is not how much we do, but how much we open ourselves to moments of connection, reflection, and peace.
Think about the life of a working parent. The house needs cleaning, bills must be paid, meals must be prepared, and children must be cared for. These tasks are important and show love. But sometimes, in the flurry of activity, the parent may miss sitting down with their child, hearing about their day, or simply being present in the moment. Children may remember less about how spotless the home was and more about how seen and heard they felt.
Or consider the life of a young professional. They wake early, rush to the office, juggle emails, deadlines, and meetings, and return home exhausted. They spend the evening scrolling through their phone or preparing for the next day, only to realize they never truly stopped to breathe, reflect, or connect with what brings them peace. The busyness creates the illusion of progress, but without stillness, the soul feels empty.
Even in faith communities, the challenge exists. Many people serve tirelessly — organizing events, volunteering, helping others. While service is good and necessary, it can sometimes replace the deeper call to simply be present with God. The heart behind the service matters more than the service itself. Without moments of stillness, reflection, and renewal, our serving risks becoming mechanical and joyless.
The lesson is not to choose between action and stillness, but to find the right balance. Martha’s service was valuable, but it needed the foundation of Mary’s attentiveness. In the same way, our work, service, and responsibilities are important, but they must be rooted in a heart that has learned to pause, listen, and be refreshed.
Consider a teacher in a busy school. One teacher works tirelessly, staying up late to grade papers and prepare lessons. Though dedicated, she grows weary and frustrated, feeling unappreciated. Another teacher, equally hardworking, begins her day with a few quiet moments to center herself, reflect, and focus on her purpose. She faces the same challenges, but her spirit is lighter, her patience deeper, and her joy more evident. The difference is not in the workload, but in the source of renewal.
In our world of endless distractions and noise, the story of Mary and Martha reminds us that what matters most is not the perfection of our tasks but the depth of our presence. Taking time to sit, listen, and be still is not wasted; it is the foundation of meaningful living.
So let us pause. Let us remember that presence is more powerful than performance, that stillness strengthens our service, and that peace is found not in doing more, but in being fully present where it matters most.
