Mary’s Mindfulness—“The Better Part”

St. Denis, Bishop & Companions, Martyrs

St. John Leonardi, Priest

Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14; Luke 10:38-42

“Martha, Martha….”

Some people have traditionally used today’s gospel reading to say that prayer and contemplation are more important than work.  That is only partially true.

Prayer and contemplation are necessary for life in Christ.  But so is work!

Martha’s problem wasn’t that she worked.  In fact, she was busy with the important task of hospitality.  Her real problem was that she was “anxious and worried about many things.”  In other words, she was distracted.   Mary, in contrast, was focused on Jesus.  That is what made hers “the better part.”

Jesus wants us to work.  Indeed, he needs us to work.  Proclaiming and building the kingdom of God is not for the idle!

At the same time, we need to remember why we work.  We need to remember the Lord for whom we work and who is always with us.   It is a waste of time to have resentment toward others or to be distracted by what they are—or are not—doing. 

“The better part” is not sitting down.  It is holy mindfulness, knowing that Jesus is with us at every hour of every day.