“Mary has chosen the better portion.”

—The Gospel of Luke, chapter 10:42

Everybody yearns to live a balanced life.

It is difficult to do so when we are pulled this way and that by conflicting allegiances, by the pressures of making a living, and by confusion as to what may be the best course of action for us in a given situation. Stress can cause physical and mental sickness. Bur, there’s a positive side to stress. It’s a sign that we’re out of balance and need time to ourselves to meditate, time to bask in the Lord’s presence and listen to Him. No matter how busy you get, finding time for the Lord must be your top priority. So, put the household chores aside for a little while, cancel an appointment, stay up late or get up early. Do whatever is necessary to be alone with Him.

There is a story in the gospel that addresses this very need to find balance in your life. It is the story of Martha and Mary.

Jesus was a guest in the home of Martha and Mary at Bethany. Martha was very busy trying to please her guest by taking care of all the household duties like cooking a meal and setting the table. Mary, on the other hand, was very happy to enjoy Jesus’ presence by sitting with Him and listening to His words.

Which of the two, do you think, was the better off? Martha or Mary?

Well, Martha thought Mary was freeloading and she was concerned that Jesus didn’t seem too bothered. So, she told Jesus to tell Mary to stop wasting her time and help her.

Jesus’ answer must have taken Martha by surprise. He said, “Martha, you are anxious and upset about many things; one thing only is required. Mary has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it.”

Naturally, Jesus does not want to create a split between the activity of Martha and the contemplation of Mary. He wants us to see that the behavior of both Martha and Mary is fruitful, but that Mary had chosen the better portion. Jesus is striking a balance between Mary’s behavior of listening to the word and Martha’s behavior of getting things done. He is not scorning Martha’s work. He is praising Mary’s attitude and is asking Martha not to reject “the better portion.” The better portion is the attitude of living in the Lord’s presence, no matter what you are doing.

Our activity will not amount to much if it isn’t grounded in the word of the Lord. Work is necessary, but it makes all the sense in the world when it is anchored in the Lord. Contemplation, which Mary engaged in, is necessary in order to create the right kind of action.

Martha and Mary are two sides of the whole picture. When these two aspects: Mary’s contemplation and Martha’s activity are in harmony, the picture is complete.

Together, these two women offer a model of Christian living which unites contemplation and action, prayer and good works. Mary’s contemplation of the Lord’s word, however, is the better portion for it achieves the kind of spiritual renewal from within that changes the quality of a person’s actions and behavior without.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy