Martha, Martha

Today's Gospel was the story of Martha and Mary. Terry over at Abbey Roads 2 likens Martha to the stereotypical, nosy "church lady" who is always getting mixed up in everyone else's business, complaining to the priest that things are just not going the way she thinks they should. (My dh likens Jesus' refrain of "Martha, Martha" to "Oscar, Oscar".[!])

At any rate, traditionally, this story has been said to represent the two ways of expressing faith: contemplation and action. I think we each need a bit of both. We cannot contemplate to the point of neglecting our daily duties, but we should not be so focused on what we do that we neglect our life of prayer.

And, further, those who cannot accomplish what most people think is necessary in this life, are not worthless. They are not to be looked down on or treated unfairly. As John Paul II showed us in his later years, their lives can be a shining example of patience and prayer.