Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, were friends of Jesus. They teach us about honest prayer. We remember their deep frustration outside the tomb of Lazarus when Jesus arrived too late to heal their brother.
They also teach us about ordering our priorities. We remember the time when the two sisters welcomed Jesus into their home and Martha was kept busy with practical household arrangements while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened. Martha and Mary personify two postures: active service and quiet contemplation respectively.
In our lives, we don't choose to be Martha or Mary, but some combination of the two. I heard a colleague this week reflecting with some sadness on how, early in his ministry, he had been more like Mary (setting aside hours each week to be with Jesus), but in more recent times he was all Martha - overwhelmed with busyness and activity. It's a helpful question to reflect on in our own lives. How is the balance in your life right now? What would it take to choose "the right thing"? (Luke 10:42)
They also teach us about ordering our priorities. We remember the time when the two sisters welcomed Jesus into their home and Martha was kept busy with practical household arrangements while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened. Martha and Mary personify two postures: active service and quiet contemplation respectively.
In our lives, we don't choose to be Martha or Mary, but some combination of the two. I heard a colleague this week reflecting with some sadness on how, early in his ministry, he had been more like Mary (setting aside hours each week to be with Jesus), but in more recent times he was all Martha - overwhelmed with busyness and activity. It's a helpful question to reflect on in our own lives. How is the balance in your life right now? What would it take to choose "the right thing"? (Luke 10:42)