The Teachings of Jesus in Luke: Distracted and Worried

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 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.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” ~ Luke 10:38-42
The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

More often than not I have heard this text as a critique of Martha compared to her sister Mary: Martha, who is doing what is expected as a hostess, gets criticized by Jesus for it.

 But I don't really hear criticism from Jesus. It is more to me like care for her. What is it that the text says about Martha? That she is "distracted" by her many tasks. Jesus tells her she is worried and distracted.

 Her focus is on the tasks for her guest - worried that everything won't get done, rather than on her guest himself.

 It is possible to be distracted by many things that don't have to do with hostessing! Mary herself, who is listening to Jesus, could just has easily have become distracted by focusing on one thing Jesus said and not listening to the rest. She could have missed the message by being distracted by one idea.

 We can get over focused on many things that distract us from the present moment: keep us from living now by worrying to much about what is to come; focusing on the tasks rather than why we are doing the tasks.

 Jesus wanted Martha to live life - to taste the experience he offered every bit as much as Mary did: to focus on him rather than resentment toward her sister.

 Jesus' entire life was spent in the here and now. The Kingdom of God for Jesus existed not in some far off future in the clouds, but in the present.

 And it was meant to be lived fully and abundantly.

 For me this text offers me the opportunity to wonder what distractions I have - even distractions that might be things I have to do - that keep me from focusing on the reason for everything.

 And it gives me the opportunity to let go of the worries that keep me living in the present Kingdom of God.
Prayer: Lord, I get worried and distracted by many things. Turn my attention to you as the reason for why I do what I do! Amen

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