The episode of the visit of Jesus to Martha and Mary is often used to draw our attention to our Discipleship. Two important points in this gospel reading invite us to examine our discipleship.

Firstly, activities accompanied by listening to the Lord ought to be the rhythm of our life as His followers. By emphasizing Mary's choice to listen to Jesus, He is not extolling 'contemplation' and devaluing active apostolate. Instead we are to be 'contemplatives' in action: to be a listener and doer of God's word (Lk. 8:15). Those of us who have the tendency to be 'Marthas' need to learn from Mary. Excessive concern for our daily needs, achievements, success, efficiency need to be checked. This will allow us to learn to listen attentively to Jesus' message which is the best way of serving Him.

If our service is God and others-centred, then the quality of our service will be effective. This is seen in Prophet Jonah who carried out what the Lord instructed him to do in Nineveh, his preaching did bear fruit and the Ninevites obeyed God.

Secondly, in the context of Jewish culture, to accept a woman to sit at His feet as a disciple, is a sign of the counter-culture which Jesus brought about by the way he treated women. So, women like men are called to study the Word of God too.