The Martha and Mary in You
(Genesis 18:1-10a | Psalm 15 | Colossians 1:24-28 | Luke 10:38-42)
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
Life is loud. The world is fast. But your soul? It needs something deeper. In today’s Gospel, Jesus steps into the home of Martha and Mary, and we see two different kinds of people — the doer and the listener. Martha is busy with work; Mary is focused on the Word. Both are needed. But only one is praised. Why? Because you can’t serve right if you haven’t sat right. You can’t exhale well unless you first inhale the Word. Here’s the real challenge: There’s a Martha and a Mary inside each of us. Which one are you feeding? Basic lessons:
1. Excellence vs. Perfectionism
Martha was all about perfection; getting everything flawless. Mary was about excellence, doing what truly mattered. Perfection can drain you, but excellence will drive you. God doesn’t want performance; He wants purpose.
As a Perfectionist, Martha was moved to put everything in place since there was a visitor in the house, while in Excellence Mary was doing the better part of those things. In perfectionism we are in the Church everyday but in excellence we do the right thing. Oftentimes we are concerned about the perfect rendition of hymns but in excellence we worship in spirit and in truth. Don’t be too concerned with how perfect the psalms were rendered and forget that we are praying. Worship isn’t about hitting the right notes — it’s about striking the right chords in your heart. Edwin Bliss once said, “The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time.” Thus Jesus said to Martha “you are anxious and troubled about many things”.
Striving for excellence motivates, but striving for perfection is demoralizing. Excellence keeps you focused on what matters and fills you with energy. Perfectionists are so focused on not failing; while the excellent ones learn from their failure. Success is actually based on doing the right thing and getting the feedback to improve and not on getting things totally right every time. That is why some persons are Christian actors while others are truly credible.
2. Stop Comparing. Start Becoming.
Martha felt bitter. “Why should Mary sit while I sweat?” That spirit of comparison kills joy. You are not called to be like others; you are called to be YOU. Don’t envy. Don’t compete. Just complete your calling. To stay healthy is not only about what you are eating; but what is eating you up. One of the things that eats people up is comparison while another one is envy. Beloved, be you, if everyone is a medical doctor who will build our houses or who will repair our cars. So be yourself and be the best of yourself. A cow eats grass and grows well but if dog eats grass, it vomits. A preacher once said; a rose smells better than tomatoes, doesn’t mean that the rose can make a better stew. All animals that exist were in Noah’s ark. A snail is one of those animals. If God could wait long enough for snails to enter Noah’s ark; His door of grace won’t close till you reach your expected position in life. “Each one should test their own actions… without comparing themselves to others.” (Gal. 6:4-5)
3. True Hospitality is Attention, Not Just Action
Martha served, yes. But she missed the point — attention is the soul of hospitality. Sometimes we give money but not presence; food but not love. Your guests — your family — your children — need your heart, not just your hand. Abraham welcomed strangers and received a blessing (Gen. 18:1-10). Who are you ignoring at your doorstep?
4. Make Time for God
Time with God is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. You make time for what matters. Let Jesus be at the top of your to-do list. The hustle is in vain without the Holy. No matter how busy you are, remember: dead people aren’t busy. Be still and know! “Unless the Lord builds… the builders labor in vain.” (Ps. 127:1)
“When you sit with Jesus like Mary, you’ll stand strong like Martha. But when you only work like Martha without worshiping like Mary, you’ll burn out.”
Let the Martha in you serve, but never let her silence the Mary in you. Choose the better part — Jesus.
PRAYER
Lord, help us slow down in a world that never stops. Let us choose what truly matters — Your Word, Your presence, Your peace. Amen.
