Martha

I can't believe this. She's just sitting there! Mary, my sister, is just sitting there, while I try to get everything ready. There's so much to do! I mean, Jesus is staying at our house. He's one of our closest friends! And not only is he our friend, but a prophet. He's been traveling all over Judea teaching, and healing. You should have seen some the things he's done! And some the things he says.... I may never understand. It's like he's trying to turn our whole world upside down. I heard that on the way here he told a story of a Samaritan helping a Jew. A Samaritan helping a Jew! But there's something about him... something that just grabs you and won't let go. Or maybe it's that you want to grab hold of him and never let go. Whatever it is, people are noticing. People come from miles around just to hear him speak, or to have him touch them and be healed. Wherever he goes there's always dozens following.

So of course I opened my home to them when they came to Bethany. What a privilege to have him teaching in my house. Jesus and all his disciples are here, in my house! Of course, everything has to be just perfect for them. What would Jesus think of me if it wasn't? He was willing to risk enough to come into a woman's home. How could I shame him more by not serving him well? But there's so much to do! Everyone should have a place to sit, or at least stand, where they can hear him teach. Oh, and the ones who need to be healed should be in the front. God forbid they tear my roof apart like they did at another house! And I'm making the best meal! Jesus will love it! No one will go away hungry tonight. He and the disciples have been traveling around for days now. Their clothes are filthy and I've already noticed patches that need mending. Of course they are tired and dirty and hungry. They deserve to be taken care of.

That's why I can't understand how Mary can just sit there listening, while I obviously could use some help here. Look at her! What does she think she's doing? Can she not see that there is yet to be food on the table? Or that Jesus' cup needs filled again? She ought to be helping me. She ought to know better. I'm surprised Jesus is even allowing her to sit there, listening like one of the disciples. We're not here to listen! We're supposed to be serving Jesus. She's supposed to be helping me. She's my sister! Jesus is probably just waiting for her to come to her senses and get to work. Well, I've had enough of this.

Master, don't you care that Mary has left me to do all the work by myself? Can't you see how much needs to be done? Tell her to come and help me!

What? Mary is doing the right thing? You don't want me to make dinner for you and the disciples, or mend your clothes, or even find seats for all these people? You don't want me to do any of those things? You just want me to sit? You want me to listen? I only need to sit here, at your feet, and listen? You really are turning me upside down.