You are worried and upset about many things

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‘Martha, Martha ... you are worried and upset about many things’

Reflection on the Gospel
Feast of Saint Martha - Luke 10:38-42

29 July 2020

Today, in the liturgy, we celebrate Saint Martha - sister of Mary and Lazarus and friend of Jesus.

In these siblings, we see what friendship with Jesus means and how discipleship is lived.
The sisters welcomed Jesus and offered hospitality, Martha busying herself by attending to meal preparation, Mary by paying full attention to listening to Jesus. Both loved Jesus who loved them. So close are they that, without hurting their friendship, Jesus can encourage Martha to look at things differently.


Martha, Martha ... you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed indeed only one (Luke 10:41-42).


To me, Jesus is telling Martha that she is loved. That love is freely given, not hard-earned. Martha doesn’t need to worry. She doesn’t need to win Jesus’ friendship and love. Instead, being loved she can live from that reality - by listening to him and by living from the words he speaks in her home.

The same is true for us.
The first - and only - task of disciples is to listen to Jesus and to continue to listen to Him. The rest will follow ...

On this celebration of friendship and hospitality, may we listen to our Lord and recognise that His love of us and our love of Him is the one thing necessary.




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