As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. 39 She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. 40 Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” 41 The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. 42 There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
Jesus enters a home and is welcomed. Two sisters, Martha and Mary, respond in different ways. The setting is ordinary hospitality with its many tasks. In that culture, hosting travelers was a public duty and honor. Water for washing, a meal, and a safe space were expected; failure brought shame on the household. While Martha busily prepares the household, Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening intently to His teachings.
Martha “welcomed him” (v. 38). The welcome shows real care. A respected guest could draw extra visitors, which raised expectations for food and service. Martha feels the weight of those duties.
Mary “sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak” (v. 39). To sit “at his feet” is a learner’s posture. It is the place of a disciple. Luke calls Jesus “the Lord,” marking his authority in the home. Mary gives full attention to his word.
“Martha, burdened with much serving” (v. 40). The serving itself is good. The problem is the burden it becomes. Martha appeals to Jesus: “Tell her to help me.” The request shows strain and a divided focus as the tasks multiply.
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things” (v. 41). The double name is tender and firm. Jesus names the inner trouble more than the menu. He does not reject service; he corrects the anxiety that has taken over the service.
“There is need of only one thing” (v. 42). The point is priority. Hearing the Lord’s word is necessary. “Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her” (v. 42). What Jesus gives by his word endures after the work is done. Luke’s focus is simple: in this moment, the Lord’s word comes first.
This scene holds together welcome and listening. Service matters, but it must not replace the hearing of God’s word. Mary’s choice shows the better part because it receives what only the Lord can give.
Lord Jesus, quiet our worries and clear our minds. Help us listen to your word and keep it. Amen.
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Sources and References:
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
- The Navarre Bible: Luke, Faculty of the University of Navarre (2008), on Lk 10:38-42.
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. Chiu et al. (2018), “Luke.”
- A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. Orchard et al. (1953), Luke 10.
- The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. Brown, Fitzmyer, and Murphy (1990), “Luke.”
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