The
question came up for discussion one day in Sunday school – which
are you, Martha or Mary?
This
is not from the Parables, but rather the story of the time Jesus went
to visit Martha and Mary. Martha was the whole time bustling about
making sure the place looked presentable and getting food and drink
ready for her guest; she was still fussing even while the guest was
there. Mary, however, sat at Jesus' feet as soon as he arrived, and
she did nothing else but engage him in conversation and listen. After
a while, Martha, playing the long-suffering martyr, asked Jesus what
he thought of someone who just sat around while she, Martha, did all
the work? Jesus responded that it was apparent Mary was the one who
knew what was more important!
I
do not recall this story from my Sundays at Catholic mass. It was a
new one for me when I started attending Sunday school at Presbyterian
churches when my girls were young. Well, I was definitely a Martha:
the house and food would never be completely ready for guests, I
would have to bustle the whole time company was around, and if the
family were not helping me, well, why not act the martyr? – I just
thought that's the way it was supposed to be.
But
if stopping everything once guests arrive – giving attention to
everything other than their food and lodging – well,
wouldn't that merely be an excuse to get lazy, not lift another
finger? Kind of a dangerous yet appealing Bible story for someone
like me!
Perhaps
if I could groom that laziness into something more constructive –
having as much as possible ready around the house and kitchen ahead
of time, and then when the guests arrive stop everything else so as
to become a better conversationalist, and, in the best of all
possible worlds, a good listener?
That
would be doing what is more important indeed.
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20151017 Martha or Mary
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