Love Like Mary, Serve Like Martha

This week we are celebrating the 16th week in Ordinary Time. In this past Sunday's gospel reading (Luke 10:38), we heard the familiar recollection of sisters Mary and Martha and their differences in showing love, one with extravagant service and the other with extravagant attention. We can learn many different lessons from this story. I'd like to offer one that is relatable the role of women today.

The behaviors of Martha and Mary would equate to the love languages of 'acts of service' vs 'quality time' (The 5 Love Languages). If you've ever read this book, you can relate to how each sister was showing her fullest expression of love to Jesus. Just as each of us has different gifts, we often express our love in ways that we wish to receive love rather than on how the recipient perceives being loved. Until we become aware of this concept, we can miss the mark on how to engage fully in an intimate relationship.

During Jesus's time, service was likely deemed the more important gesture based on the expectations of a woman's role; after all, what could show more appreciation for the Lord's presence in their home than a feast with swift, uninterrupted service? Martha focused her whole self on showing Jesus her love through serving Him. Mary, in contrast, sat with her full attention on the Lord, soaking up every word he spoke with reverence. Neither offered perfect love but both offered their fullest expression of love. Jesus recognized the sincerity of both women and invited them into a more complete experience of intimacy with Him by broadening their perspective of His desire for communion.

We often fall into one of the two categories these women presented. In our society, we can become consumed with the business of life, especially when in the midst of rearing children or caring for aging relatives. The devil may lead us into believing that because we aren't sitting at feet of Jesus, silent and focused for an uninterrupted hour, that we are not showing the reverence of Mary. In contrast, if we tell ourselves that we are "serving" by staying overly busy, then we miss the opportunity to lean into silence to hear the tender words that the Lord is speaking to us. Both sides are extremes, and the devil is a master of twisting what is meant for good into an opportunity to separate us from God.

Let us take some time this week to determine where our natural tendencies to engage with the Lord fall. Are we servants or silent listeners, chapel prayer warriors or rally warriors for justice? All are needed to advance the Kingdom of God. We are all gifted with different talents to use toward His will. But we cannot forget that growth happens when we step out of our comfort zones to encounter Christ in a new way. To some, joining the local parish's Knights of Columbus or Catholic Daughters organizations might seem daunting. For others, going to the adoration chapel and experiencing silence for 20 minutes is an anxiety inducing thought. Recognize that different encounters with Christ throughout the day offer us unique opportunities to experience His love.

During the busiest season of your life, accept that saying a rosary while folding clothes or driving to baseball practice might be the extent of your time to "sit at Christ's feet," and that is ok. In another season of your life, you might be required to be still in prayer

in Christ's presence due to an ailment that prevents you from serving Christ through serving others, and that's ok too. Don't let the devil trick you into thinking that only one is acceptable to the Lord. He is the one who put you in your current season, and He knows your current limitations. Love the Lord extravagantly in your natural way but be open to recognizing how He is calling you to love in different circumstances and seasons.

Saints Martha and Mary, pray for us!