Saturday, July 26, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Luke 10:38–42

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “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.” (NRSV)

Reflection

This passage has always been a tough one for me. I don’t like that it feels as if Martha is being shamed for working hard to get a meal ready and asking for help. I can imagine her scurrying around, planning, prepping, cooking for her guests, and getting frustrated because she is doing it all by herself. Meanwhile, her sister Mary is hanging out with the party, not doing a thing to assist with the preparation. It makes sense to me when Martha snaps and asks Jesus to send Mary to help.

When I was in seminary, there were moments when I was interrupted by someone stopping to say hi when it was clear I was working on a paper or an assignment. I would think, “Can’t you see I’m working?” I was so focused on the task at hand or the looming deadline that it could be hard to see the person standing in front of me. I often had to remind myself that the purpose of my degree was so I could be present with people in their joys, sorrows, and interruptions.

It is easy to be distracted by the many things that go on in our lives and in our world, to be so worried about everything else that I miss the most important thing — being present with the people around me, because Jesus tells us where two or more gather, he will be right in the center of it. I will admit it can be hard work for me to put down whatever I am doing to focus on the person interrupting me. And yet it is often in those moments I feel the very presence of God. And I am encouraged in ways I could not have imagined.

Prayer

Lord, give me a heart to sense your presence. Give me eyes to see the person in front of me. Give me a soul that loves freely. Amen.  

Written by Nance Bartell, Director of Youth and Young Adults

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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