Today as we begin a new work week we will be helped by keeping in mind yesterday’s gospel account of Martha and Mary.

This scripture passage gives us a bit of encouragement for dealing with the pressures of daily life.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of looking for the goodies and the baddies in every story, but this story is different because it’s about two saints, Neither of them were “bad.” Augustine clarifies this well in his sermon for the feast of St Martha which we celebrate at the end of this month.

“Martha and Mary were sisters, related not only by blood but also by religious aspirations. They stayed close to our Lord and both served him harmoniously when he was among them. Martha welcomed him…” (Ref this link)

There is no evidence that the Lord favoured one sister over the other. Keep in mind that it was Martha who initiated the dialogue by complaining: “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” Martha wasn’t happy with each being present to Jesus in their own way, she wanted Mary to do it her way.

Jesus responds with great affection and we can hear it in his tone “Martha, Martha” then with a smile and great love he suggests that Martha is worried and anxious about too much when only one thing is necessary and that is to love.

I understand those who label Jesus a typical man who has no idea of the work that goes into providing hospitality. But as Pope Francis reminded us today at the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square:

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things”… With these words, Jesus certainly doesn’t intend to condemn the attitude of service but rather the breathlessness with which it is sometimes lived.”

Most of us feel run off our feet with all that we have to accomplish in a day. The problem is not necessarily that we are doing so many things, but the loss of perspective that can overwhelm us in the midst of so many demands.

This loss of perspective is our downfall. Perhaps the greatest attack on healthy perspective comes when we compare ourselves to others, forgetting that there are as many ways of living in relationship with Jesus as there are people.

An Invitation

As we begin this week let’s make a decision to keep things in perspective. Ask Jesus to reveal to you how you need to grow in healthy perspective.  Ask Jesus to let you know what is “the one thing” that you too often lose sight of.

Today’s post  from an Instagram account I’ve been following, mental.aspect: