In the Gospel reading today, Luke tells well known story of Mary and Martha. This is a story of doers and listeners.

Martha is a “doer” bustling over the meal and Mary is the “listener” entertaining Jesus.

Carol and I entertain our guests in the same way; while one of us is busy in the kitchen the other  is socializing with our guests.  I think most couples work this way.

But, despite the way we entertain, we generally compare these two sisters and we ask ourselves the question “which sister do we tend to be?”

Maybe we shouldn’t try and identify ourselves with one or other of the sisters. Perhaps it might be best if we reflect on the fact that it was a risky thing for both women to have Jesus in their home.

Mary and Martha took the risk of what Jesus might say to them; what he might ask them to do. This reminds us that we take a risk too when we dare to welcome Jesus into our lives.

If you were told that Jesus was to visit your house, what do you think would be the best way to prepare to welcome him? Would you spend time cleaning up the house or would you quickly learn a bit more from the Bible?  Would we borrow some very fine China to show respect for the Messiah or would we use cheap plastic plates to show Jesus that we don’t have any interest in material things?

Mary and Martha were obviously great friends of Jesus and Jesus, as a true and considerate friend, is not likely to say harsh judgmental things to those he loved.

I’m sure that Jesus knows well what the prophet Micha says in chapter 6 (that God wants us to do justice, show love, and live in humble fellowship with God).

So Jesus isn’t being judgmental when Martha complains to him and he replies that “Mary has chosen the better thing to do”.

Jesus answer to Martha isn’t a criticism of her. Jesus is reflecting on what is a “good thing” and what is an “even better good thing”.

Martha is doing a good thing and Mary has chosen even better good thing to do.

Martha’s concerns in the kitchen are not unimportant; but Mary’s concern to learn more from Jesus is of ultimate importance.

The one thing needed is to know God spiritually, personally, and to serve him by serving others.

That’s our mission for God ….to know him as best we are able. We are to know him as best we can and to  serve him as best we can by serving others.

An example of actually doing this is seen in the missionary service of many in our community and overseas. We’ll now watch a brief DVD on the work of Maggie Crewes (one of the CMS missionaries supported by our Parish). Maggie is serving in a ministry to boys living on the street in Ethiopia.