Wednesday, February 12, 2025  

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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)

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Reflection

I’m grateful for the Marthas of the world, the ones who take care of business, prepare dinner, make reservations, cut the grass, shovel the walk, write the thank-you notes. Marthas are the reliable, dependable women and men who do what needs to be done. Jesus appreciated Martha, too. Notice the gentle, tender “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things.” He knew and was grateful that Martha was in the kitchen making lunch while her sister Mary was sitting at his feet, listening, admiring.

But the lesson he taught that day is an important one. It is about “being” and “doing.” We are inclined to define ourselves and others by what we do. The first thing we ask a new acquaintance is “What do you do?” when what we really mean is “Who are you?” You and I are more, far more, than what we do for a living or what we do with our leisure time. We are who we are. We are individuals with the image of God in us. And sometimes we need Jesus’ advice to Martha to stop doing, stop our frantic, frenzied activity, and simply be. Sometimes we need Jesus’ advice to resist the need to be in motion constantly and to simply be still, quiet, listening, receiving, being.

“Don’t just stand there; do something” the old adage says. Someone reversed it in a way that reflects Jesus’ advice to Martha — and to us: “Don’t do something; just stand there and be for a while.”

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Prayer
Dear God, my life consists far more of doing than being. Sometimes I can even feel guilty if I’m not doing something. Give me the strength today to be, to listen and see and observe and receive gifts you and others around me have to give. And thank you for the Marthas, as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Written by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
June 22, 2005

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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