Many of us are probably familiar with the story of Martha and Mary in the Gospel of Luke. See Luke 10:38–42 . While Mary is sitting calmly at Jesus' feet, engrossed in his conversation, her sister Martha is busy being a hostess. When she asks Jesus to tell Mary to lend her a hand with these responsibilities, Jesus gives a surprising answer. He says, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
The gospel, with its joyous message from God, who loves us and who intends only good for us, must pervade our lives more and more.
Doesn't Jesus' response sound rather strange to us? Does it imply that taking care of the responsibilities at hand and attending to one's everyday business affairs are of less value than developing our understanding of God?
