Distraction

“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” (Luke 10:42).

Christ in the House of Martha and Mary (Vermeer)

I was sitting in Holy Mass the other day and thinking about all the things that I had to do that day.  It was a particularly busy day at work and there were a number of competing objectives that made me feel really overwhelmed that day.  I found myself sitting in the church that day and checking off – mentally – all the things in my list so that I could decide what I needed to accomplish.

And I was reflecting on this today as I was reflecting on the story of Martha and Mary…

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’  ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42).

Martha was doing something good.  She was cooking and cleaning and serving.  She was contributing to the world and the household.  She was making sure that people were at ease.  It was not the hospitality of Martha that Christ was criticising – it was her distraction…

“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” (Luke 10:42).

I was not that Martha was working instead of praying, it is that the focus of her work was the work itself and not the glory of God.

And I have been thinking about that today because there was great frustration in that sort of service.  Martha was no longer joyful in her giving – she was burdened by it.  And Christ did not react by being bothered by the work itself – but by speaking about her trouble, the frustration of his friend.  While Mary received first and acted second – sitting at the Feet of Christ – Martha, did first and received second, which meant that she was distracted about the message.

And I have been thinking about how I give and what I do.  And it seems to me – remembering especially that early morning inside the Church, that I am far too much like Martha – running around and doing all the stuff and being burdened by it all.  And in reality, all God is asking of me is that I listen to Him.  All He is asking of me is that I pay attention to the things that matter to HIM – not to me.  And to do that – first I must listen, and then I must do…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.