A remarkable story in the
Gospel of
Luke. I read it first years ago,
bored out of my mind in church. So bored that I read the
lectionary. It is a short story only a few lines actually. They are related to
Lazarus.
Jesus arrives for a meal.
Mary (perhaps
Mary Magdalene?) sits with him and talks.
Martha gets busy preparing things for the meal and at some point complains to Jesus that Mary isn't doing anything. And Jesus says something like 'Martha you are busy and anxious and concerned about the things of the world - Mary has chosen the better part and that won't be taken from her'.
There is something clear and precise about the story. Like a
Zen koan or one of the passages from the
Tao Te Ching. I had chills but not in a religious-conversion-type way. Very down to earth, practical advice. 'Don't complain. You make your choices and can't really hold on to the resentment against others for their choices...'
Yup, call me Martha...