Why is Martha Burden With The Serving? What Is the Holy Spirit Telling Us?

Why is Martha Burden With The Serving? What Is the Holy Spirit Telling Us?

The Gospel story today is about Martha and her sister Mary in the presence of the Lord.

Martha asks the Lord to tell Mary to help her with the serving of the house guests. We all have heard this story before. As is often the case, however, when we reflect upon this reading, the reflection turns to the defense of Martha. And that is dangerous!

The Holy Spirit has given us this story in the Gospel for a reason. Many often look at their own busyness, at the expense of engaging the Gospel and at the expense of our peace. It points out how difficult our hearts can be when confronted with truths that are inconvenient.

We do well to pay attention to how this story unfolds. The Lord is not saying to avoid your household responsibilities . . . or your work. But . . . it is the Gospel that states those things have a real limit. And we need to pay attention to that!

Notice what we hear. Martha is BURDEN with much serving. It begs the question . . . just who it is that has burden Martha? Jesus did not ask her! What is it about the serving that burdens her? Martha cannot see what is burdening her.

What a powerful question it is for us when we look at our own lives and experience our own specific burden . . . our own busyness . . . of being worried.

In light of this Homily, meditate on this Gospel. Hear more within this Meditation Media.