We often overlook Martha’s boldness to focus on Mary’s boldness in taking a disciple’s role. So there’s a sting when Jesus seems to prefer Mary’s contemplative approach over Martha’s busyness. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).
Yet Jesus has validated Martha too, by simply being with her in her home. It’s not an either/or situation. It’s not the active versus the contemplative life. We are all called in the fullness of our lives to move beyond the culture and custom of our time to live a life in service to Jesus.
This excerpt is from the Women of the ELCA blog “The Mary-Martha Puzzle” by Linda Post Bushkofsky.
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