Martha is distracted by her many tasks because truth is without her
they won’t get done. Luke doesn't tell us what the many tasks are but I imagine
they have something to do with a house full of freeloaders. Not the Lord, mind
you. Martha was happy to have Jesus over for a visit. It was all those fisher
folk and tax collectors who came with him. Food has to be prepared. The table
has to be set. The good silverware has to be polished and counted – because you
can’t trust Galileans not to walk off with a fork or three. At any rate there
are things to be done and Martha is the only one doing them. It may be that
Martha is often distracted by many tasks but if that’s the case maybe Mary
spends a lot time sitting and not helping. I know that is not the point of the
story but what if everyone chose the better part? Who would wash the dishes? So
if Mary was listening closely to Jesus she might hear him say, “I came not to
be served but to serve” and get up and help her sister. And then maybe Martha
might have a chance to hear Jesus say, “do not be anxious about your life…” and
sit down at the feet of Jesus.
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