The Story of Martha and Mary teaches us that there can be different ways of responding to the presence of Jesus in our lives. We often miss this point for we presume that Jesus is scolding Martha for being too busy with the duties of hospitality, while Mary sits quietly and attentively at Jesus' feet.

We can attend to Jesus in either way: in hospitality welcome him into our lives and be attentive to him in the way he teaches us to be attentive to the needs of others in an attitude of love, no matter what form it takes is always the "one thing necessary".

Or we can welcome him specifically as "the master" who teaches all we need to know for growth in holiness and intimacy with God. There can be no presumption that Martha loved Jesus less than her sister does or that Jesus loved one of the sisters less than the other. Note John's comment: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" (Jn 11:5).