Today's Word
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing."
Luke 10:41-42
Today's Reflection
Martha is doing everything right.
She has welcomed Jesus into her home.
She is working hard to provide for him.
She is frustrated because her sister Mary is just sitting there, listening.
So Martha does what we all do.
She brings her complaint to Jesus.
And Jesus does not say: Martha, you are right, Mary should help you.
He says: Martha, Martha.
The repetition of the name is tender.
It is not a rebuke. It is a recognition.
He sees her. He sees her worry. He sees her distraction.
And he names what she has missed.
Mary has chosen the one thing necessary.
To sit. To listen. To be present.
There will always be more to do.
The dishes will always need doing.
Jesus is asking which way we face while we do them.
Today's Prayer
Lord, I am Martha more often than I am Mary.
I am busy. I am distracted. I am useful.
But I miss you.
Today, even in the middle of everything,
help me to choose the one thing necessary:
to be with you,
even briefly,
even while I work.
Amen.
Today's Call
Set a single moment today to just be present with God.
No agenda. No requests.
Just sit, like Mary, and listen.