Better Part – Reflection on Luke 10:38-42
Some of life’s distractions seem to leave us little choice but to deal with them. For instance, when we have guests, we are like Mary, as everything has to look nice, and food needs to be prepared. Once that is done, we settle down to be like Martha. During our Mary time, we do not always notice Jesus because we are distracted by the many tasks that occupy our attention. However, as I have learned the hard way when we recognize we have done so, it does not hurt to stop for even a few seconds and let divinity inspire us. Those few seconds of acknowledging Jesus can bring us peace. The more often we can intersperse those few seconds multiple times during our task, the more our life aligns with the “better part.” In these measured-out bursts of time, we can switch between being Mary and Martha. While we may not be able to be Martha all the time, those precious moments that we are, give us a chance to listen to the Spirit’s whispers and maintain our willingness to be like Jesus.
Martha by James Tissot (full resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 10:38-42 – Scripture*
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 10:38-42 Reflection – Better Part.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections of the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative payer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the Luke 10 Bible passage.
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