But Martha was
distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself?"
Many of us can see ourselves as either a "Martha" or a
"Mary." I am definitely of the Martha type. I am more comfortable preparing for
an event than I am mixing with the guests.
Today’s scripture passage could be – and often is –
taken as a rebuke of us "Marthas," but I don’t read it that way. I think
the Lord is saying, "Let each person make the best use of the gifts and talents she
has been given."
Being hospitable is encouraged throughout the Bible, and hospitality is
easier for a team than it is for one person working alone. Mary and Martha would have made
a great team, except that Martha felt she was doing all the work and resented Mary’s
leisurely conversation with their guest, Jesus. Perhaps she didn’t realize that the
tasks of preparation were easier, more interesting, or more important for her than for
Mary.
Sometimes it is hard for us to see ourselves as unique characters with
unique interests and capabilities. It can be hard to recognize that another person who may
not be as gifted in some ways, may be more gifted in other ways. We may pass negative
judgment on those who choose to concentrate on things other than those we consider most
important. That is not in the spirit of our Lord, who taught us to use our special gifts
together – as a team – to spread the Good News.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you were so wise in creating us with different
talents and interests. Help me to appreciate our differences instead of making judgments
about them. Amen.
