Setting priorities: Tending to Martha within

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Susan Casper

I find myself squirming in the pew every time I hear the Gospel story of Martha and Mary.

The theme is a familiar one at our house. Guests arrive fully expecting a handsome meal, as well as companionship. I can't do both, and because my husband doesn't know a crepe pan from a rolling pin, he provides conversation, while I knock myself out in the kitchen.

It is usually as I am serving the food that the first request is made, "Stop fussing; sit down with us."

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 18, 2004) Gn 18:1-10a Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5 Col 1:24-28 Lk 10:38-42

Well, I wonder, how do they think the food is going to arrive at the table? Would they rather not have gravy? Coffee? Perhaps we should just skip the vegetables?

Do they think I have elves in the kitchen? Exactly how will things appear if I don't fuss?

So my heart is always with Martha as she works to serve the Master and wishes to make him as comfortable as possible. She is the responsible one.

Mary shamelessly curls up at Jesus' feet, knowing that Martha will get things done. And then, dog-gone it, Jesus praises Mary's choice. It's enough to make a good hostess tremble.

It is small wonder that the story makes me feel peevish. And since I really hate being wrong, it takes some time in prayer for me to acknowledge that Jesus' point is well-taken.

He doesn't suggest that guests be left to fend for themselves but leads us to priorities. We see them illustrated in this example of hospitality, but, I wonder, doesn't making Jesus our priority extend to all areas of our lives?

Often I get caught up in the business of the moment, postponing time with Jesus for later - later when I'm rested, or alone, or have time. "Later," unfortunately, doesn't often find me rested, alone, or with time.

It leads me to the point I think Jesus was making when he told Martha (and all of us) that Mary had chosen the better part. We need to make time for Jesus first, then work him into our time with family, work, charitable activities, recreation, intellectual development, hospitality, exercise, relationship building . . . well, you get the idea.

The Martha in me knows that doing God's work on earth encompasses all areas of one's life. I know that taking care of the earth and the people in it are a form of prayer.

I'm not as quick to acknowledge that taking care of myself is a form of prayer. If this body God created for me is really a temple of the Holy Spirit, than shouldn't I take care of it?

Perhaps, my life and well-being, my spirit and health are as important as those others whom I seek to serve. If I am just as important, then selflessness is not necessarily a virtue.

Before I take care of everyone else's needs, I need to invite Jesus in to share with me the job of taking care of my own, whether that is the exercise I rarely make time for, the meals I always make time for, or the time I spend with friends.

	Reflection questions • Do you neglect your own needs to tend others? This week find an opportunity for others to take care of you. • What other gospel messages make you uncomfortable? Do you know why?

Jesus didn't create me to be a workaholic, nor did he intend for me to be so busy that I isolate my activities from him.

Martha's work is vital, but she can't let it displace her time with Jesus, or the time she needs to take care of herself. So whether she (and I) need to get up earlier or simply do less, the message is the same: Don't save Jesus for later. Make time for him now. And take care of yourself - Jesus wants happy and healthy (and rested) Marthas.

Susan Casper is a friend of St. Paul University Catholic Center and an occasional contributor to this column. Since her retirement from university teaching, she has worked as a writer, editor, and writing coach.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

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