The story of Mary and Martha is well known to us. Traditionally, Mary is revered and Martha is rebuked. Most of us can remember feeling a lot like Martha and being secretly jealous of people like Mary, who could focus simply on the presence of Jesus.
The Martha and Mary story is about keeping life in proportion. The RSV translates the words of Jesus in verse 42, “one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”
As our lives have become more in balance, we find more energy and desire for hospitality and service. We’re also realistic about the fact that some days we can and some days we can’t.
This message was adapted from “Act Boldly with Balance” by Sue Ann and Ron Glusenkamp, a three-month summer Bible study that appeared in the June 2006 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine. You can download this and other three-month Bible studies here.
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