Mary and Martha

This morning's sermon was about Mary and Martha. Mary, as you may know, chose to sit at Jesus' feet when he came to visit, while Martha busied herself serving the guests and got upset that her sister wasn't helping her. When she complained to Jesus, his response was: "Martha, Martha...you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Pastor Paul observed that most people take Jesus' comment to be a criticism of Martha, and infer that it is therefore better to be a Mary. This, he says, is not true. A church needs both Marys and Marthas. The Marys serve in the sanctuary through their worship; the Marthas serve out in the social hall through their hospitality. Everyone of us needs to have a blend of Mary and Martha in us.