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“Worried and Anxious”
A while ago at a weekday Mass, we heard the familiar Gospel of Martha and Mary. When Jesus was visiting them, Mary sat at his feet listening and Martha grew upset because she was doing all the work to feed everyone. Jesus told her “Mary has chosen the better part.” (Luke 10:42)
Now, it seems to most of us, at first reading, that Martha had a point. Someone had to feed these hungry men, and someone had to get the house ready.
But a closer look at the Gospel doesn’t show Jesus correcting Martha because she was preparing house and food. Rather he says, “Martha, Martha you are worried and anxious about many things.” (10:41)
Bitterness and Anger: A Snapshot of Me?
That’s different than saying you shouldn’t be working. Martha is fretting and probably stewing over Mary not helping, and perhaps her grievance descends into anger and bitterness. Martha is certainly not at peace and resting in Christ’s person and words. She and her work suffer.
This is a snapshot of our lives. Martha’s reaction may seem unimportant to some of us, but many things can make us anxious and worried – if not one thing, it is something else. Hopefully, honest people recognize themselves in this side of “Martha” – and, please God, develop their Mary side.
“The Better Part”
The “better part” Jesus speaks of is putting first things first. Putting life in him first and resting in Him, certain of the presence of God’s loving grace.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides” (Matthew 6:33).
The Founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, had keen insights into our human propensity for anxiety, anger, and depression, and even wrote a prayer to counter it.
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