Martha and Mary ~ Sunday Wisdom

Today’s gospel reading is a popular one and some may say that Martha gets a bad rap just because she is trying to be hospitable. I believe the reading today are to remind us of two things. First, it is important to keep a healthy balance between doing or service and being or contemplative prayer. The old saying you can’t give what you don’t have is so true. This is precisely why Jesus would wonder off and be found in quite prayer to his heavenly father. He was recharging!

Second, it is important to offer our service and hospitality if you will, with love. It is not that Jesus did not appreciate what Martha was doing, and he certainly did not think that Mary was better than Martha, but let’s face it, Martha was grumbling. Instead of going about her duties with great love, she was concerned that Mary was not helping her. Perhaps because of her lack of contemplative prayer balance, she was feeling sorry for herself and feeling over worked. We’ve all been there. When we don’t take time to meet our Lord in quite prayer, we can turn inward and begin feeling unappreciated for all the things we do.

So, the next time you feel agitated, overwhelmed, or even unappreciated, turn to your heavenly Father. He has all you need to fill up so you can of yourself in service to others.

Be Still And know that I am God ~Psalm 46