This Sunday’s Gospel from Luke 10:38-42 may be a bit confusing upon a first reading.  Martha is working hard, serving and cleaning while her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, seemingly doing nothing.  Where is the fairness in this situation?  Surely many of you reading this would empathize with Martha here.  Especially taking into account the norms of the time where women were expected to do as Martha was doing and it would have been scandalous for Mary to sit at the feet of Jesus listening to Him speak.  When Martha questions Jesus about this, he replies, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.”  (LK 10:41-42)  Jesus is explaining that when it comes to discipleship, we must not be bound by societal norms.

  Think about society today.  How are we expected to act?  We may feel pressure to conceal our faith while at our jobs or around our “friends”.  Or, are we so driven to do all the things that society defines as important that we lose focus on that which we truly need?  If we were to analyze our behavior while here at the parish during Mass and then compare that to how we behave once we drive out of the parking lot and during the time we are away, how drastically different would we see ourselves?  Are we the same person here as we are out in the world?  Can we call ourselves disciples if we allow the ways of the world to dominate our behavior?

  While we all have obligations and as good stewards, we must use the gifts and talents that God has given us to build up His Kingdom, we must take great care to be sure that we are dedicating all our efforts to Him and for His Glory.  And, we must be sure to take pause, avoid that which makes us anxious and just simply sit at the feet of Jesus.