A Word from Joel - March 21, 2025
“Mary & Martha”
by Lauren Wright Pittman
Inspired by Luke 10:38-42
Digital painting
“Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was
distracted by her many tasks.”
Luke 10:39-40
Martha doesn’t get enough credit. Jesus and his traveling disciples show up at her door,
and she welcomes them. This was likely a group of at least 70 people. It was a huge
undertaking, and Mary sits and listens to Jesus, while Martha is busy hosting.
Hospitality is hard work, and it’s no wonder Martha is distracted. That word “distracted”
means dragged around and pulled in many directions. What a great image for what it
feels like to be overwhelmed with the enormity of one’s responsibilities. When stressed,
we often we lash out at the people closest to us. It’s not rational, but we want them to suffer along with us, so we lash out at them, instead of taking responsibility for our own
feelings and frustrations.
Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her, but Jesus responds, “Martha, Martha, you
are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed—indeed only one.
Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” I don’t think the
one thing that Mary has chosen is faith over works but living free from toxic
comparisons and judgments about others. The better part that Mary discovered is that
she belonged right where she was, and nothing can take that away from her. To know
that you belong is an incomparable gift. Of course, Martha belongs too, as do you.
That’s the good news: you belong, just as you are, with all your judgments and
jealousies, your faith and your works. You are always worthy of love. When we
remember that, then nothing can take it away, not our family, our communities, or our
government. When you know that you belong, the comparisons and resentments start
to weaken, and your heart is freer to will one thing. The choice is not between Mary and
Martha, faith and works, but between a divided and undivided life, a life of envy or
peace. Which would you prefer?
One Struggle to Love,
Rev. Joel A. Esala
1 A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
by Lauren Wright Pittman
Inspired by Luke 10:38-42
Digital painting
“Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was
distracted by her many tasks.”
Luke 10:39-40
Martha doesn’t get enough credit. Jesus and his traveling disciples show up at her door,
and she welcomes them. This was likely a group of at least 70 people. It was a huge
undertaking, and Mary sits and listens to Jesus, while Martha is busy hosting.
Hospitality is hard work, and it’s no wonder Martha is distracted. That word “distracted”
means dragged around and pulled in many directions. What a great image for what it
feels like to be overwhelmed with the enormity of one’s responsibilities. When stressed,
we often we lash out at the people closest to us. It’s not rational, but we want them to suffer along with us, so we lash out at them, instead of taking responsibility for our own
feelings and frustrations.
Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her, but Jesus responds, “Martha, Martha, you
are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed—indeed only one.
Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” I don’t think the
one thing that Mary has chosen is faith over works but living free from toxic
comparisons and judgments about others. The better part that Mary discovered is that
she belonged right where she was, and nothing can take that away from her. To know
that you belong is an incomparable gift. Of course, Martha belongs too, as do you.
That’s the good news: you belong, just as you are, with all your judgments and
jealousies, your faith and your works. You are always worthy of love. When we
remember that, then nothing can take it away, not our family, our communities, or our
government. When you know that you belong, the comparisons and resentments start
to weaken, and your heart is freer to will one thing. The choice is not between Mary and
Martha, faith and works, but between a divided and undivided life, a life of envy or
peace. Which would you prefer?
One Struggle to Love,
Rev. Joel A. Esala
1 A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
Posted in Belonging, Differences, Love
Posted in mary, martha, serving, worshipping, lent, Jesus, introspect
Posted in mary, martha, serving, worshipping, lent, Jesus, introspect
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