Luke 10:38-42.

In today’s reading, we hear about Martha and Mary, sisters in the household where Jesus visits.  While Mary sits at his feet listening to his teaching, Martha is burdened by much serving, so she asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her with the work.  But Jesus replies, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Within each of us, in ancient times as today, there are the aspects that correspond to Martha and Mary.  While we long to sit at the feet of the Lord and listen to his teachings undistractedly, we are drawn away by the many tasks and demands of the world.  Like Martha, we are “worried and distracted by many things.”  We go back and forth between being Mary, sitting quietly and listening for the voice of God, and rushing around with our to-do lists like Martha.  Some of these to-dos are indeed necessary.  Observe the alternation between the two states.  Here Jesus reminds us that truly we only need one thing, and that is to focus on being in the presence of God and listening for his voice, that “still small voice” of which the prophet and psalm speak. As we have been taught, if we focus on that one thing, all else can fall into place with time and patience.  Between the tasks, take time to breathe.  It will go better.  Stop for a moment to simply be and to gaze at the Lord, as he gazes back at us.  That too is peace, the peace of the Lord. Amen.