The Better Part

  

Luke 10: 38-42

Martha and Mary

³⁸ Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

We all have things to do, too many things.  We want to serve, we want to please; we have  Martha genes keeping us busier than we ought to be.  In this Gospel passage, we see how Jesus appreciates Martha's contribution to the evening meal, but praises Mary for her attentiveness to his presence and the feeding of her soul. The meal will be over and done, but a relationship with Jesus is on-going and lasting. Choosing to nourish it is "the better part" and a call to us to set it as a top priority. St. Francis of Assisi, whom we  honor today, dit it. Let us spend some extra time along with him and  Mary at the feet of Jesus and see for ourselves why they made the better choice.

Bro. Rene