My
first thought is that Jesus isn’t being very fair to Martha. Jesus is a guest
in the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. While Mary sits at Jesus’ feet,
Martha is busy doing all the work. For goodness sake, somebody needs to serve
the food and refresh the drinks, especially when that guest is Jesus! Martha is
running around like a chicken without a head worried about a thousand little
details. In her frustration she blurts out, “Jesus, tell her to help me.”
Much
to my chagrin Jesus tells Martha that Mary has “chosen the better part.” I
think it’s important to note that Jesus didn’t say that Martha was wrong and
Mary was right – only that Mary has chosen the better part -- being close to him.
I’ve
been in Martha’s shoes more times than I can count. I confess! I want to be Martha
Stewart making everything perfect, beautiful, and delicious. When guests are
coming over I cook up a storm always afraid I’m not going to have enough; then
I have a week’s worth of leftovers. It’s important to me to have the food
served piping hot which makes those 20 minutes right before the dinner is ready
absolutely frantic. I stay vigilant during the meal making sure to offer second
helpings, keep the bread basket full, and open another bottle of wine. I
strategize about the right time to clear the dishes and serve the coffee –
regular or decaf – Americano or espresso – don’t forget about the tea drinkers.
Thankfully, everybody’s having a great time, talking, laughing, and eating. But
I have not chosen the better part – being close to my guests.
Jesus’
words to Martha were “… you are anxious and upset about many things.” What about you, do you worry? Do you worry
about your health, your children, your job, your finances, and what people
think of you? Too often my
past worries me; my present fills me with doubts, and my future fills me with uncertainty?
I am a huge fan of TV series, The Walking Dead. I preface all my
responses with, “If the
Apocalypse doesn’t happen – then we can …..” The crazy thing is that I mean
it! If a week passes without a problem, then
I start getting anxious wondering when the next shoe is going to drop.
Anxiety
and worry are some of the most destructive and pernicious forces we can face.
It grips us and holds us captive. How many times do I think that something
awful is going to happen, and when the time comes, all is well? I’m worn out
and exhausted from all the worrying. In my insanity, I persuade myself that it
was actually my worrying that prevented the incident. In a warped sense, I
become “god” in the situation. I’m relying on my own machinations rather than
God’s promises. Anxiety and worry rob me
from experiencing God’s peace in the present moment.
There
are about 50 Scripture verses on worry.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself.” How can we not be slaves
to worry? St. Paul tells us that whatever we’re worried about; we should tell
God about it. Stop trying to control it or figure it out on our own. Then
follow it with a prayer of thanks for God’s blessings in our life. Think about people we love, comforts of home,
and simple pleasures. I came across a blog about 50
Little Things That Make Life Happy – singing, perfectly popped bag of
popcorn, a bath, finding money in your pocket you forgot about, having just
enough milk for a bowl of cereal, taking the first sip of your favorite drink,
whenever Peanuts characters dance…..
What little things make you happy?
With a heart of gratitude, God makes us a
wonderful promise – the peace of God, which surpasses all
comprehension, shall guard your heart and mind. (Phil 4:7) Our worries, anxieties, and fears are
replaced with tranquility. Nothing in the past, nothing in the future, nothing
in the present – no financial burden, family crisis, job sickness, or illness –
nothing in this world can separate us from the love of God.
What is worrying you today? As we journey through the Lenten desert, we can ask Jesus for his help to surrender our fears, anxieties, and doubts. Even when we can't see how everything is going to turn out, we can trust that Jesus will love us through it. Instead of being God ourselves, we can let God be God. Now we are free to choose the better part of being close to Jesus.
“Jesus, I trust in You.”
Journal
with Jesus
Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and
worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the
better part and it will not be taken from her.”
What about you? What are you anxious and worried about? What prevents you from choosing the better
part?
In what circumstances and events of my life
have I felt taken care of by God?
