july 29 2006
Memorial of Saint Martha
Lk 10:38-42 Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. 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.” The Lord said to her in reply,“Martha, Martha, 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.”
Most people would have expected Jesus to comisserate with Martha who was doing all of the work while her sister Mary only sat listening to Jesus. Martha, most likely thought that her many acts that she was doing would be recognized and honored and her sister's lack of honor admonished. This was to be turned around. The lack of action other than sitting and listening to Jesus was the better part of what was called for to be done at the time.
I know that to act in and of itself is at times a wrong course a mistaken path grabbed in haste with some nervous energy and impulse. To sit and learn is a slow and patient path. Sometimes it is better to not act. There are situations when action makes the situation worse not better. Knowing is important before doing and while doing.
Ultimately, though I do believe that in some respects we are known by our acts not by our thoughts. However, our thoughts are reflected in our acts. I know that I need to listen to Jesus first in all things and then to act in love and faith. Without a heart filled with love and without God, I am nothing. In Scripture, it is a bell without a sound. I need to not look and compare what I am doing to my other sisters but listen to Jesus and be sure that what I do is walking in the ways of the Lord at all times and in all things.
Lk 10:38-42 Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. 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.” The Lord said to her in reply,“Martha, Martha, 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.”
Most people would have expected Jesus to comisserate with Martha who was doing all of the work while her sister Mary only sat listening to Jesus. Martha, most likely thought that her many acts that she was doing would be recognized and honored and her sister's lack of honor admonished. This was to be turned around. The lack of action other than sitting and listening to Jesus was the better part of what was called for to be done at the time.
I know that to act in and of itself is at times a wrong course a mistaken path grabbed in haste with some nervous energy and impulse. To sit and learn is a slow and patient path. Sometimes it is better to not act. There are situations when action makes the situation worse not better. Knowing is important before doing and while doing.
Ultimately, though I do believe that in some respects we are known by our acts not by our thoughts. However, our thoughts are reflected in our acts. I know that I need to listen to Jesus first in all things and then to act in love and faith. Without a heart filled with love and without God, I am nothing. In Scripture, it is a bell without a sound. I need to not look and compare what I am doing to my other sisters but listen to Jesus and be sure that what I do is walking in the ways of the Lord at all times and in all things.
posted by Joan Morris at 6:15 AM
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