In this Sunday’s Gospel, we are given the well-known story of the two sisters, Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42). Our Lord knew the family well and was visiting their home. And there was Martha, understandably very busy getting things ready and serving their Divine Guest, while Mary was at His feet listening. And Martha was rather upset and complained to Our Lord that her sister was leaving her to do all the work. And Our Lord replied, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

We would be mistaken here if we thought Our Lord was dismissing Martha’s efforts. After all, she was doing a great job serving Him. But she was missing the thing that matters most – being with Him. In other words, the presence of JESUS Christ requires not just action, but adoration too.

There’s a well-known story from the life of St John Vianney (1786-1859). He noticed a poor man who would come into church each day and sit for long periods of time in front of the tabernacle. One day Fr Vianney finally asked him, “What are you doing all the time?” And the man replied simply, “I look at Him, and He looks at me.” And that’s what Mary was doing. She wasn’t neglecting her duties. She was choosing the essential thing of being with Him.

The point is we need Marthas as well as Marys. The Church couldn’t function without Marthas. The saints were often both. St Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) springs to mind – adoration in the morning and then off to her ministry in the streets – Mary at His feet and then Martha in the world. There are a lot of people doing things here in our parish whether it be tea rotas, flower arrangers, altar servers, musicians, readers, food banks, cleaners, counters and so on. These are all very necessary things, but we mustn’t forget to sit at the feet of JESUS too, listening and praying quietly. In other words, it’s not a case of either/or, but both/and. In the end both Martha and Mary are saints, but Martha had to learn what all of us must: before we can give Christ to others, we must receive Him ourselves.

So the question is, do I make time to look at Him so as He can look at me? Do I sit at His feet in prayer – which could be in Adoration, or coming early before Mass, by saying the Rosary, or spiritual reading in a quiet corner at home? Therefore, don’t choose between Martha and Mary. Be both! Pray like Mary and then serve like Martha, and that’s how you will become a saint.

Fr Paul Gillham, IC