Mary and Martha: Finding The Balance

Published October 14, 2025

Let us gather in the spirit of love. 
Love that reaches upward to God, 
Love that stretches outward to neighbor, 
Love that binds us together in holy purpose.

REFLECTION

I was reminded of the above words from our Call to Worship last week when thinking about the Mary and Martha story in today’s Gospel (Luke 10:38-42). 

I always thought this story was a good one to illustrate the tension in our lives between being active and being contemplative. Should we spend our time like Martha being busy in service to the world or should we spend it like Mary, in faith, absorbing the presence of God? As much as I want to be like Mary, I always seem to be more like Martha, running around and checking things off my To Do list, seeking God only when I feel like I have the time to do it right. (And then, more often than not, asking God to forgive me for not getting back to Him sooner.) 

Today, though, I’m feeling a bit different about this story. Today, instead of feeling guilty for not being more like Mary, I believe God may call us to be both -- to be like Mary and Martha, to seek God and to serve God through others. As James wrote, “a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24) We need to focus on both ways of life to truly follow God. 

For example, I may be sitting here on a Sunday reading and reflecting on a Bible story but then tomorrow be helping my next-door neighbor whose husband is away. I can follow God by being contemplative in his presence and by serving others -- a little Mary, a little Martha. I would like to think I can be a little of them both. 

To return to the above quote from last week’s Call to Worship, I think it speaks well not only of two greatest commandments but also in illustrating the lives of Mary and Martha: “Love that reaches upward to God” and “Love that stretches outward to neighbor.” May the spirit of love bind us together in its holy purpose. 

DIVING DEEPER IN THE WORD

  • Luke 10:38-42 (Mary and Martha Worship and Serve)
  • James 2:14-26 (Faith and Deeds)
  • Matthew 22:36-40 (The Greatest Commandment)

    • QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  • How are you a little like Mary and a little like Martha in your own life? Do you need to create a better balance? If so, how are some ways you could do that?
  • Contrast these two seemingly contradictory statements in the bible: “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17) and “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Some say these verses are often used without sufficient context. Read both passages yourself to try and understand the intent of the writers. How important do you feel actions are compared to faith alone?
  • In first century Israel, to "sit at [someone's] feet" was a phrase used to describe a disciple of a particular rabbi. Traditionally, this was not a role for women. Yet Jesus and the early Christian movement often relied on women to help support and spread the Gospel. Read the beginning of Luke 10 where 72 disciples are sent out to spread the word then re-read the story of Mary and Martha a little further down. Could “sitting at the Lord’s feet” be a possible shorthand for a more active role being taken by Mary?

    • CLOSING PRAYER

    Dear Lord, help me to take the time to sit and listen to your word and to know you better, in my heart and in my mind. Strengthen me too, God, so I may follow you and take a deeper stride into the world, connecting and serving others through your love and goodness. I pray this in your holy name. Amen.

    FURTHER EXPLORATION

    “Mary goes deep and Martha goes long: Mary went to the depth of faith, and Martha lived it out and bore witness to it in the world.” - Mary and Martha: Two Necessary Ministries