August 20, 2023: Sitting Down in the Busyness - Michael Hidalgo

Michael Hidalgo walks us through the story of Jesus, Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.  
Martha is the one who plays host to Jesus, which suggests that this is her household. In this story, it is often assumed that Martha is the one who doesn’t “get it” while Mary is the one who is praised by Jesus. And while Jesus does say that Mary has chosen what it better, it is not that straightforward. Luke tells us that Martha’s work matters. The word he uses to describe her work most often relates to the work of ministry, and that is what she is doing.  Her hospitality then makes her and her household a place of peace for Jesus and his disciples (see Luke 9.1-6, 10.5-6). It is from this place that she asks Jesus to tell Mary to join her in the work of ministry. Mary, we learn is “sat at the lord’s feet" (a Jewish idiom for being a disciple). Perhaps this is why Jesus says that she has chosen what is better; she is listening, paying attention, learning and hearing the words of Jesus.