Bible Text: “Martha, Martha, you are very worried of so many things but your sister has chosen the better part and it will not be taken away from her”. Luke 10. 38-42
Saint Martha is a very active person. She is an extrovert type of personality so to speak. The gospel account of John said when she heard that Jesus was coming; she went out to meet Him. Remember that during this time, they were mourning due the passing away of her brother Lazarus. Although they were overwhelmed with great sorrow but she still has a reserved energy to welcome warmly Jesus. The gospel account of Luke described her as a person who would offer the best kind of hospitality to Jesus. She would do everything to please our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not just all about her but she is also compelling others to do the same. She told Jesus, are you not worried that my sister is just letting me do all things and not even bothered to help me out?
Jesus has to tone down the extreme activity of Martha. It seems that Jesus is telling her, “take it easy Martha, pause for a moment, have a deep breath. I do not want you to be burned out. He would like to redirect Martha’s energy. “Martha, Martha, you are very worried of many things but you have forgotten the most essential thing, that is to spend a moment to listen to me”. Oftentimes, many believers have the same impression. It is an activity focused church. It seems that Christianity is all about doing many things for Jesus Christ. Giving donations to the Church, campaign for food bank, supporting charitable institutions, promoting church advocacies are the focused of our believers. They are important but they are not the foundation. The foundation is all about what Jesus has done for us. Sitting at Jesus feet to listen to His words are indeed the solid ground of our faith. We have to be absorbed into the love of Jesus Christ. Too many activities can burn us out; it is dangerous in the sense that it can discourage us especially when people around us are passive. Activities are just fruits our relationship with Jesus and relationship is built by constant reflection and sharing together the word of God.
May the feast of Saint Martha reminds us about what faith is all about. Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who is to come.