Claiming Presence in the Holiday Rush by Jo Beth

Luke 10: 38-42

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

As a person who prefers smooth logistics to chaos (I'm of the "early is on time, and on time is late" persuasion), I have to admit I've always had a soft spot for Martha. Realistically, if Martha wasn't organizing things, would anyone have been fed? Would the house have been tidy?

Martha issued the invitations, did all the prep work, and Mary just—Mary just sat there watching the Cowboys and having a second helping of dessert! When Martha expressed frustration, Jesus reminded her that the moment wasn’t about the cooking or the cleaning or the hosting duties—it was about something much richer. It was about slowing down, and being fully present with Jesus—listening to his voice, and savoring the all-too-brief time she was able to spend with him away from the crowds and other demands of life.

As Thanksgiving rolls by and Christmas gatherings occupy calendar space, I wonder if there aren't lessons for us in both Mary and Martha. It’s not that extending invitations, and preparing to host or welcome others isn’t important (that’s all Martha right there!). After all, without Martha’s hospitality, we wouldn’t have this story. But I think this story shows us that it’s also important to slow down and center others (that’s Mary!).

It’s so easy during the holiday season to miss the forest for the trees. Sometimes we get so caught up in the trappings—the decorating, the cooking, the perfect gift—that we forget we do those things as a way to embrace others. If the people at our gatherings end up reduced to stage decorations in a play featuring our own busy-ness, then we have gotten it all backwards.

I hope that as we move through the holiday season, we do all the things that bring joy, but I also hope we will accept a little messiness—a little imperfection—if that means we can slow down and really engage with the people in our lives.

So this season, maybe we can be a little Martha: We can invite people into our spaces when and as we are able. Prepare as we need, but stop a little short of what we imagine as 100% ready (maybe aim for 80% ready) and…

May we also be a bit of Mary: Sit and catch up with the people in our lives. Slow down and listen to their stories. Play a game, or take a walk, and allow ourselves to be human, in the presence of those we love and care about.