Today in Scripture

Luke 10:38-42:
Jesus entered a village where a woman 
whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet 
listening to him speak.
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.”
The Lord said to her in reply,
“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.” 

For such a brief and simple story, interpretations about its meaning vary as widely as the interests of the interpreters! What was Jesus saying, really? Is he showing a preference for the contemplative life over the active one? Alluding to justification by faith rather than works? Overturning the role of woman as servant in favor of woman as disciple? Or just trying to quiet some sibling rivalry?

This scripture passage immediately follows the parable of the Good Samaritan, an example Jesus presents of an individual recognizing a need, being 'moved with compassion' and going out of his way to 'love [his] neighbor as [him]self' through concrete and generous action. So, why pick on Martha?

Now, there's no way to know Martha's motivations, but one might just wonder if this was a case of just going through the motions of hospitality without her heart being in it. Was she truly making Jesus feel welcome, or bustling about with loud sighs and clattering of dishes?  And what about Mary? Was she just trying to get out of kitchen duty, or did she recognize Jesus' need to have someone really listen to him, right then and there?

Maybe, just maybe, Jesus is inviting us to consider the potential for holiness in all we do, whether spending time in prayer or up to our elbows in dirty dishes.  And inviting us to serve God by recognizing in every person God's 'image and likeness' and responding in loving attentiveness rather than harried obligation.

• Who in your life (workplace, neighborhood, family) is in need of your loving attention?