Faith & Work, Sisters: Lent Week 2 2025

Scripture

While Jesus and his disciples were traveling, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his message. By contrast, Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal. So Martha came to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me.”

The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be taken away from her.”

Reflection

The familiar tale of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 often presents a misleading dichotomy, pitting contemplation against action. However, a deeper reading reveals that both "good portion" (faith) and "ministry" (works) are essential. The dynamic between Mary and Martha mirrors the tension between our desire for intimate connection with God and our calling to serve the world. To ask, "Are you a Mary or a Martha?" is to miss the point. Just as a body needs both a heart and hands, our spiritual lives require both inner reflection and outward action. We are called to cultivate a faith that informs our works, and to engage in works that deepen our faith.

Instead of perpetuating a false choice, we should strive for a harmonious balance. This requires us to examine our own tendencies. Do we prioritize productivity over presence? Do we neglect our spiritual formation in the pursuit of worldly tasks? Are our "works" truly reflective of our faith, and do they contribute to a just and loving world? The challenge lies in integrating contemplation and action, allowing our faith to guide our service, and our service to enrich our faith. We are called to "sit and listen" to God's voice and then "respond through just relational networks," creating a cycle of reflection and action that transforms both ourselves and the world around us.

"Cats in the Cradle" is a simple story of a father and son who perpetually miss each other. Career takes precedence, "someday" becomes "never," and the son mirrors his absent father. The song's power lies in its stark, relatable depiction of squandered time and broken connection, a haunting reminder that presence, not possessions, defines relationships. It's a quiet, devastating warning against prioritizing work over love, leaving us with the stark echo of "too late."

Reflection Questions:

• Where in your own life do you find yourself using "someday" as a way to postpone meaningful connection or action?

• How does your faith influence your daily actions and interactions with others? Are your "works" a reflection of your spiritual values?

• What practices help you to "sit and listen" to God's voice amidst the distractions of daily life?

• How can you ensure that your service to others is rooted in genuine connection and mutuality, rather than simply a checklist of tasks?

• Reflect on the idea of "just relational networks." How can you contribute to building relationships that promote justice, equity, and compassion?