My kitchen is my holy place. I guess this makes me more of a Martha (my mom is a Mary). These two sisters, dear friends of Jesus, had different approaches to life, and to their relationship with the Lord. Mary chose to sit at Christ’s feet and listen to him, while Martha bustled around cleaning the house and getting dinner ready. In Luke 10:41-42, Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed – indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part.” Reading Scripture, it’s generally understood that, between the two women, it’s preferable to be a Mary.
Why does it have to be all or nothing? Can a person be an attentive and engaged listener to God while stirring a pot of soup or rolling out pie dough? Even Marys have to eat sometimes. I think maybe Jesus just wanted Martha to take a break once in awhile, to settle comfortably into his Word as a child would setting into a parent’s lap. Perhaps He didn’t intend to imply that Martha’s diligence and devotion to caring for Him was any “less than” her sister’s reverent stillness.
This message is excerpted from “I’m a Martha.” by Elise Seyfried in the September/October 2023 Gather magazine. Today is the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost.
Copyright © 2025 Women of the ELCA. Inquiries for permission to reproduce should be directed to [email protected]. If you enjoy this resource, Donate Now.