The story of Jesus at the home of Martha and Mary has been used to say that prayer is better than action. Martha, the woman of action, is told that Mary, the woman of prayer (according to this interpretation) has chosen the better part. Is that really what the scene teaches? Imagine if Mary had been helping Martha in the kitchen. Jesus would have been left alone twiddling his thumbs. Maybe what the story really teaches is to give the gift that the receiver needs instead of the one you feel comfortable giving. What Jesus needed at that moment was hospitality, welcome, and Mary provided that. Eventually he would need to eat but at that moment he just wanted to be present with his friends.
