But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help.' Luke 10:40
Work at home or away offers us many opportunities to indulge in resentment. There is always something to complain about, if we look hard enough. Jesus stopped off in the house of Martha and Mary and triggered a classic domestic row.
Actually some of us would rather bustle than sit and listen to challenging teaching; rather do the washing up than produce an arresting paragraph; rather be a postman than a poet. There is stress in thinking, having to shape articles for tight schedules, or work on designs or lesson plans. There is something restful in deleting files, emptying the dishwasher, or in any of the other daily tasks that can be done without thinking. But while doing the washing up or sorting out the stationery cupboard, we want others to notice us and feel bad that they are not helping. Self-righteousness comes too easily to some of us.
I am not sure what Jesus meant by telling Martha, 'Only one thing is needed'. Did he mean that she was 'making a meal' of the meal and should settle for bread and cheese? Or did he mean that she, like Mary, should be making the most of his time with them, listening and learning? Kitchens, like the poor, are always with us. It is hard to hear the gentlest of rebukes when feeling hard done by. Did Martha change from self-righteous indignation to reproved humility, stop the unnecessary bustling and take her place at his feet? May we all be open to rebuke from the Lord, as well as from others. And may we recognise in ourselves the desire to make others feel uncomfortable.
Margaret Killingray
Work at home or away offers us many opportunities to indulge in resentment. There is always something to complain about, if we look hard enough. Jesus stopped off in the house of Martha and Mary and triggered a classic domestic row.
Actually some of us would rather bustle than sit and listen to challenging teaching; rather do the washing up than produce an arresting paragraph; rather be a postman than a poet. There is stress in thinking, having to shape articles for tight schedules, or work on designs or lesson plans. There is something restful in deleting files, emptying the dishwasher, or in any of the other daily tasks that can be done without thinking. But while doing the washing up or sorting out the stationery cupboard, we want others to notice us and feel bad that they are not helping. Self-righteousness comes too easily to some of us.
I am not sure what Jesus meant by telling Martha, 'Only one thing is needed'. Did he mean that she was 'making a meal' of the meal and should settle for bread and cheese? Or did he mean that she, like Mary, should be making the most of his time with them, listening and learning? Kitchens, like the poor, are always with us. It is hard to hear the gentlest of rebukes when feeling hard done by. Did Martha change from self-righteous indignation to reproved humility, stop the unnecessary bustling and take her place at his feet? May we all be open to rebuke from the Lord, as well as from others. And may we recognise in ourselves the desire to make others feel uncomfortable.
Margaret Killingray
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