Only One Thing Matters

As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him in her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!”

The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her. [1]

There’s a bit of mystery in the story of Mary and Martha.  You remember the visit made to Jesus‘ friends.  Martha must have been a great cook, but was “distracted by all her serving.”  She complained that Mary wasn’t helping prepare the dinner, and only listening to Jesus .  How to understand Jesus’ reply?   “You’re upset and worried about many things, Martha.   Mary has chosen what is better.  Only one thing matters.”

I wonder what Jesus meant.  We believe we go through life with many needs to be fulfilled.  Abraham Maslow called them a ‘hierarchy of needs”.  Air, food, water, sex and sleep are physiological needs.  Safety, love, belonging, and esteem are emotional needs.  At the top of the pyramid is something called the need of self-actualization.    Maslow found little evidence that all such needs are ever met by a single person, outside of one who can live like Jesus.

So, what was Jesus talking about?   For most of us our basic needs have been fulfilled.   Just think of that large percentage of the world’s population….which, in truth we like to avoid thinking about! These are the poor, the hungry, the refugee, the victimized.   ‘The playing field is never level’.   Now think of our blessings…, like  family heritage, loving relationships, meaningful education and vocation, mostly good health, and living in a free country.  Who in our community can ever say that we haven’t been abundantly blessed?

Once again, what’s the need that matters?  What is it that we should continuously seek?   What might be missing from our personal ‘hierarchy of needs”?   Does it mean something related to our inner selves,.. like more love, more of a giving spirit, more alignment of personal faith and work?

Could Jesus be saying that when the final chapter of our lives is written, it won’t matter much what is served for dinner or how the table is set.  Or how big was our house, the make of the car, how we dressed, what job we had, or whether we were married…..or,  even how happy we were. 

 “Only one thing matters,” he says.   What do you think it is?

Notes:

1. Luke 10:38-42, The Holy Bible, Good News Translation (The American Bible Society). This chapter of the Gospel of Luke also includes the story of Jesus sending out 72 disciples two-by-two and the parable of the good Samaritan. The link will take you to this passage on BibleGateway.com, where you can read it in numerous translations and languages, listen to an audio version, search for study materials, and find additional resources.