Scripture:
Luke 10: 38-42
I have heard many sermons based on this incident
at the home of Martha and Mary in the life of Jesus, and I confess I always
identify with Mary. I much prefer my books to cooking and cleaning, so maybe my
claim to be a Mary is self-serving. Actually, I think all of us have
characteristics of both Martha and Mary within us, but one or the other tends
to dominate. Still, I have often taken satisfaction, if not pride, in feeling
more attachment to Mary’s role.
Which is why I was brought up short this morning
by observing that I had taken on Martha’s role. I wasn’t preparing a meal for
anyone. I was performing my usual morning exercise routine, a time when I
normally close my eyes and focus inward, taking the opportunity to offer
prayers of intercession for family and friends. However, this morning, I couldn’t focus. I would begin speaking to God, but
soon I found that I was mentally elsewhere—planning my route through Walmart
when I went to buy groceries later in the morning. I pulled my thoughts back to
my prayers and started again, but soon found myself thinking about tomorrow’s
plans for meeting a friend I haven’t seen in a long time.
As I once again pulled my thoughts back to my
prayers, I thought of Jesus’ words to Martha in today’s Scripture: “You are
worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one
thing. Mary has chosen the better part . . .” I, like Martha, was allowing
myself to be distracted from the better thing, indeed, the best thing—time with Jesus. Lent is a time for repentance and
reflection, both of which I obviously needed at the beginning of this day.
Interestingly, as soon as I confessed my distractedness to God in prayer, my
unsettled mind became focused and I was able to carry out my prayer time
without further distractions.
Are you, too, finding yourself distracted from
the better thing, spending time with Jesus? Confess it, repent of it, and tune
in to what our Lord would say to you today.
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