The Better Part: A Reflection on Slowing Down and Showing Up
It was the middle of a busy Saturday…groceries on the counter, dishes in the sink, the fourth load of laundry going, and next week’s work project in the back of my mind. All of a sudden, something happened that brought this Sunday’s “Martha and Mary” Gospel Reflection to life.
One of my daughters asked me a question, something simple I guess, and I answered without really hearing it. I could barely tell you what I had said. Something in between “Oh yea? That’s nice.” and “Mm hm, cool.”
A few minutes later, she said, “Ma….you didn’t even listen.”
It stopped me cold. I remember looking up and thinking, “She’s right.” I had been physically present, but not really with her. My mind was three steps ahead, my hands doing too many things.
My heart? Distracted.
This is where today’s Sunday’s Gospel finds us. Jesus has just entered the home of Martha and Mary, and while Mary sits at His feet, Martha is “anxious and worried about many things.” It’s a scene that feels so familiar to women, especially those of us bouncing in between caregiving, work, family life, and ::gasp!:: self-care. (Yes, important too).
And yet Jesus’ response to Martha gently reminds all of us: “There is need of only one thing.”
Hospitality Simplified
In the first reading from Genesis 18:1-10a, we see Abraham welcome three mysterious guests under the oak of Mamre. He rushes to serve them, offering food, rest, and refreshment. His hospitality is generous, but he is also attentive. Abraham doesn’t just feed them and walk away. He stands nearby. He is fully present, and respects the moment with his attention.
On the other hand, there’s Martha. Her intentions are good: she’s preparing a meal, caring for her guest, serving….but her spirit is restless. She’s in the same house as the Lord, but she’s missing everything that is important.
How many times do we do the same?
It’s easy to let the demands of the day steal the very presence we long to offer. When we are preparing dinner, managing our family’s logistics, or pouring ourselves into our work, our minds and hearts wander away from what is most important…
God.
Our family.
Ourselves.
Presence Over Perfection
Like Martha, I sometimes find myself resenting the tasks that I once saw as gifts: cooking for my loved ones, keeping a tidy home, even writing or planning. When my daughter confronted me, i realized I’ve lost sight of the deeper “why.” Without my realizing it, the aspects of daily life I strive so hard to protect became burdens instead of offerings.
As if that wasn’t a reminder enough….
I remember a day not long ago when I had scheduled everything just right:
I had a day off. I would wake early, clean the house, prep dinner, write, garden….all the peak of the afternoon hit. But then I bumped into a neighbor. (yes..remember we have neighbors!?)
He was moving his late mother’s things from the house next door to us, to prepare it for sale. He noticed the girls and I always spend time outside, and may make use of some of the things she had left behind. I hesitated….I had plans! But something nudged me to say “Go on, take a minute.” We chatted over the fence, talking about life, kids, family, and grief. I didn’t finish my list that day, but I ended up more fulfilled than I had in weeks.
That’s the “one thing” Jesus speaks of.
Presence.
Not performance. Just presence.
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Choosing the Better Part
When Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, she isn’t being lazy or unhelpful. She’s choosing attentiveness. She sees that this moment, right now, is sacred. She stops. She listens. She makes space for the Word to enter her life, not just her home.
So often we chase the ideal day, the perfect rhythm. That’s not a bad thing! But the Gospel reminds us: good things can still distract us from the better part.
The “better part” is not always what feels urgent. It’s what’s eternal.
When You Feel Like Martha
If your season of life feels more like Martha than Mary, you’re not alone. Maybe your kitchen is never clean at the same time as your heart. Maybe you’re barely finding time to pray between carpools and meetings and mealtime. Maybe you long to feel close to Jesus but instead feel like you’re moving from one to-do list to the next.
Here’s the truth: Jesus didn’t scold Martha for serving. He simply redirected her heart.
So how do we begin to make that shift?
Reflection Prompts for This Week:
- Name your “one thing.”
Ask yourself at the start of the day: What is the most important thing today? What will help me be present to God, others, and myself? - Practice pause.
Set a timer for 3 minutes—midday, in the car, or at the sink. Breathe. Listen. Invite Jesus in. - Simplify hospitality.
Hosting doesn’t need to be Pinterest-worthy. One friend, one candle, one cup of tea. That’s sacred space. - Reflect when you feel rushed.
Is this moment about performance or presence? What would it look like to “sit at Jesus’ feet” right now?
This Sunday, let’s ask: What does it look like to sit at Jesus’ feet?
Maybe it’s five quiet minutes before the rest of the house wakes up. Maybe it’s a short walk around the block while you sip your morning coffee. Maybe it’s listening fully to your child’s story about the bug she found in the backyard.
You don’t need to abandon your tasks. You just need to remember why they matter.
Choose the better part. Let presence lead.
And if you’re still learning how to do that…Ha! Me too!
Let’s keep tending to the sacred, together.
