A Reflection for Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Abnormal Time
Jesus entered a village
where a lady 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, got here to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to assist me.”
The Lord said to her in reply,
“Martha, Martha, you might be anxious and fearful about many things.
There’s need of just one thing.
Mary has chosen the higher part
and it is going to not be taken from her.” (Lk 10:38-42)
“You’re anxious and fearful about many things.” Same, Martha.
Just like the serving sister in today’s Gospel, I’m the form of one who gets stressed about logistics. I freely admit that I wouldn’t be the one sitting by Jesus’ feet. I’d be quickly picking up stray items across the room, pouring (and possibly spilling) the wine in a frenzy and tossing exasperated looks at Mary.
Don’t get me mistaken—I like planning and hosting events. I all the time look ahead to them with excitement and back on them with fondness. Often, though, while they’re going down, I fixate only on what is perhaps going mistaken. I worry whether anyone’s having fun.
Recently, when this has happened, I’ve tried reminding myself of all of the successful gatherings I’ve hosted prior to now. Every one often turned out O.K., even when it didn’t occur exactly the best way I had envisioned. Food was still served. People still had a good time. I still felt good about the way it went despite some small hiccups.
If we focus an excessive amount of on the little details, we are able to very easily miss the entire point of spending time with others.
And the explanation for that, I remind myself, is that a gathering isn’t actually in regards to the food we eat or the best way the room looks. We gather to have a good time our relationships, to feel closer to 1 one other or create latest connections. If we focus an excessive amount of on the little details, we are able to very easily miss the entire point of spending time with others.
Martha would sooner pull Mary away from sitting with Jesus than be a poor host. She doesn’t allow herself to attach with him while there’s still preparations to make. For this, Jesus gently invites her to chill out and put things into perspective.
While I feel the “higher part” that Jesus mentions is about reference to God, more so than with one another, I think the lesson can apply to each sorts of relationships. We make ourselves busy every day with things that appear necessary on the time. We will get caught up within the minutiae, a lot in order that we miss out on opportunities to deepen our love of others and God.
That’s to not say I’ll leave all my guests hungry and uncomfortable at my next party. After I host, the planning and the serving help me show my appreciation to my guests. I genuinely enjoy that responsibility. Nevertheless, I’ll attempt to let go of my preoccupation with the main points. It’s more necessary to lean into the sensation of community and connection that these gatherings can bring.