Throughout the Holy Bible, in the many lives we read about, we see different scenes of our own lives. Even though most of them for me are the occasions where we read about disobeying God’s commandment, they serve as a light bulb to brighten the future. Occasionally, we all tend to close our eyes to avoid seeing this light, so that we may blame darkness. Oops, I didn’t see or realize! Remembering the old saying that closing the eyes doesn’t make the room dark! Lord, forgive and guide, because we are sinners, and at Thy mercy, we hope. The story of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary is one of those light bulbs.
St. Luke 10: 38-42 tells us the occasion of Jesus visiting Martha and Mary’s home. St. Luke says that “Martha welcomed Him into her house” (v38). Even though Martha welcomed Jesus in to the home, Martha’s sister Mary was the one who “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word” (v39). While Mary decided to listen to Jesus Christ, Martha went around getting everything ready at the home for Jesus. Indeed He is the guest that they respected much. But soon enough, we could see Martha’s frustration on doing everything, while her sister seemed to be not bothered at all. Isn’t it the responsibility of both to make sure that Jesus is well received? Martha went and complained to Jesus, whom she considered ‘Lord’ also, saying, “do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” (v40).
What is the difference between a guest and a friend? Friends could be guests, but guests do not always have to be friends. Guests who are not friends are often distant to our personal lives. They do not share with the intimate details and problems of our lives, but friends do. Good friends are people whom we share with, with whom we do not have to keep the formalities of treating a guest. While reading the story of Martha and Mary, I wonder what each one considered Jesus as. Both of them, for sure believed Jesus is the Lord, but for Martha, He was a guest, whom she wanted to treat the best way possible, when He visited. But for Mary, He was a dear friend, whom she could listen to and talk freely. Hence seeing Jesus, Mary did not think about the formalities of treating a guest, but found the time to have the wonderful conversation with the Master.
Jesus answers Martha’s complaint saying “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”(v41,42). Whose character do we represent, Martha or Mary? Do we consider Jesus as a guest or a friend?
Like Martha, aren’t we all worried and troubled about many things in our lives? It is human tendency to avoid listening to Christ and to do everything in a human way, even though it is for God. But is that God’s will? Christ told us to pray “Your will be done” (St. Mt 6:10). St. Paul says “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20). If Christ lives in us, shouldn’t we listen to Him like Mary, before trying to get everything ready for Him? Will Martha has to be “worried and troubled” if she listened to Christ first? St. Peter says “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7).
While we spent hours worried and troubled for different problems in our lives, at different times and occasions, the Lord asks to leave it to Him and to listen to Him. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27). While trying to capture the whole world with our strength, while trying to preach gospel from our intellects, while trying to lead ministries with our thoughts, while trying to lead family with our knowledge, the Lord says to “choose the better”.
