You have probably heard, I know I have, sermons saying that the story of Martha and Mary is meant to illustrate that prayer (Mary at Jesus’ feet) is preferable to action (Martha busy with supper). I have a different take. I think the account of Jesus being with his friends is actually about timing. Martha was giving the gift she felt comfortable giving but that was not what Jesus’ needed at that time. Jesus would need to eat eventually (and I hope he helped peel the potatoes) but right at that moment he needed to be welcomed, to feel he belonged. Mary was giving him the gift he needed at that time. St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians describes how he didn’t launch into his preaching ministry until the timing was right. Timing is important in all aspects of our lives. Parents have to learn the proper timing on when to chide a child and when to console her. We need to discern carefully in our lives when to push ahead and when to wait — for it is God’s time, not our own, that we must be attentive to.
