Memorial of Saint Martha

I’m a Mary, not a Martha. I’m not a good cook or housekeeper or hostess. If Jesus had come to visit me I would have sat in the living room with our Lord. It wouldn’t even occur to me to serve.

I understand the feminist theory of the gospel story and the women are doing the serving and the men sit and talk. And I even grew up with that tradition, although obviously it didn’t stick with me. Martha would like to be able to sit and enjoy Jesus and listen to him, but there is work to be done and it needs to be done. Someone has to offer the refreshing beverages. Someone has to cook and serve the food. It’s not going to serve itself. And here she is with an important guest and her sister is no help. 

When Martha tells Jesus to tell Mary to help out, he says that the quality time she is spending with him is more valuable than the serving work in the kitchen. He says, “Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” A clean house is a good thing. A host who provides good food for guests is good, but the host who provides sincere attention to guests might be better. Martha is making sure the required preparations are made, but Mary is spending the more quality time with Jesus while there is still time.