Torn

Luke 10:38-42 (The Message)

As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village.

A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home.

She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen.

Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand."

The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing.

One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her."

Much has been made over the many centuries of Christianity about the contrast between Mary and Martha.

Generally, most folks seem to want us to identify with either one character or the other.

Are you more contemplative, or more action-oriented?

Clearly, Jesus seems to pick the side of contemplation in this passage.

And so, those "Marthas" among us are left to feel bad about their instinct for getting-it-done, more than sitting still and being quiet.

I don't think there's anything for Mary or Martha to feel bad about, nearly so much as there's just something here for all of us to learn.

The truth is that when I read this story, I feel torn. I imagine most of us do.

It seems, often, that my life runs in cycles of heavy work, followed by periods of focus on my family and personal, spiritual needs.

The result is that I can pretty much find something to feel guilty about all of the time. What about you?

When we work too much, we're not tending enough to the contemplative. Eventually, our souls and relationships will dry up and wither.

When we sit quietly at Jesus' feet and let the world go by, there are so many other things going undone. There's always much to be guilty about, you see.

Martha can't be wrong for working hard at the task of being a gracious host.

But Mary certainly is right to focus on the presence of Jesus in her home and sit in contemplation at his feet.

Would there ever again come a time for Mary to get up and work? Of course.

But work without spiritual connection to God in Christ is just draining. Contemplation gives work meaning. There can be no doubt...connection through prayer is the "one thing that's essential" in the whole human experience.

Then, everything else can matter too.

So maybe the lesson of this wonderful little story is that we should be more willing to let ourselves off the hook. Perhaps the only useful guilt (read, conscience) is that which keeps us in balance. It could be there to tell us that work alone...is not purely the "main course."

If you immerse yourself in work mostly to hide from the real need for God and relationships...then that "guilt" could be God, reminding you to come out and connect.

But there is another wonderful reminder from scripture:

To everything there is a time, and a season, and a purpose under heaven. We have that on good authority.

So make a place for the main course of prayer and reflection today...and remember that focused, meaningful work is also one of God's great gifts.

There's room in the house, and within each of us, for both Mary and Martha to live side by side.

With the right priorities, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, we don't have to be torn.

Prayer: God our Father, we need to sit at your feet, quietly listening for your voice, and knowing your presence in this world. We need to work hard, at a meaningful task, and know that you are present in moments of activity, as well as contemplation. May we be grounded in the example of Mary, and inspired to the work of Martha. And may you teach us to be at peace in all of your times and seasons.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.