Both Mary and Martha have made Jesus feel welcomed, but each accomplishes that by different means. When a close friend like Jesus visits, Mary chooses to be with Him; hanging onto His every word and attending to His needs.
Jesus desires everyone to become His disciples and confidantes. Jesus understands that "Mary has chosen the better part". Who can take this away from her (Luke 10:42)?
It is not difficult for us to see that "the better part" means choosing Jesus – conversing with and listening to Him. Even busy people would agree with this and may take time to pray.
However, what Jesus cares about is whether we know how to prioritize our time between work and prayer.
There is no doubt that Jesus loves both Martha and Mary; however, it is Mary who really understands Jesus, making her more receptive to Jesus' messages. Therefore, this also makes it easier for Jesus to communicate with her. A strong relationship is built on the foundation of mutual understanding; and communication is key to promote mutual understanding. If we want to become Jesus' confidante, we must follow Mary's footsteps and learn from her. By Mary's example, we, too, may establish an intimate relationship with God.
To become Jesus' confidante, we do not begin by offering our services and work; instead, we must begin by keeping Him company, listening to Him and "staying" with Him (Ref. John 1:39). That means, we begin by encountering Him.
Are we willing to become Jesus' confidante?
Reflection
Do you long to become Jesus' confidante? Do you recognize that this is what Jesus referred to as "the better part"?
TODAY'S PRAYER
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
To become Jesus' confidante, we do not begin by offering our services and work; instead, we must begin by keeping Him company, listening to Him and "staying" with Him. That means, we begin by encountering Him.
May be I have a ‘hollow’ in my heart that needed to be filled up. I incline to have a tight schedule with chores and services or surfing the internet in order not to ‘waste’ my time. I was stupid enough to think this is a ‘meaningful’ life. I leave very little time with God. Simply saying the prayers and consider myself good enough to be His children.
I pray to God to lead me the way, to get closer to Him and listen to what He has to say to me. Do help me God!
Linda, you are not alone. It’s a very typical way of living our lives. The secular world never stops to offer us different things to occupy ourselves with. It’s often not until something happens to us that makes us aware of that emptiness, that’s when we wake up to seek God, Whom alone can feel the “hollow” in our hearts.