Today’s Gospel recounting Jesus’ visit to the home of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42), directly follows Jesus’ telling of the parable about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

Recall Jesus’ teaching that a “Good Samaritan” is a person who serves and helps another in need.

Martha welcomes Jesus to their home and immediately looks after Jesus tending to all the aspects of hospitality. In this way, Martha models a “Good Samaritan.”

Jesus comments to Martha that she is anxious and worried about many things, not that she shouldn’t serve. Deep personal distraction moves Martha to turn to Jesus to have Him tell Mary to help with the serving.

Meanwhile, Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to him speak.

• The words of Jesus capture Mary’s attention.
• Worries about many things overcome Martha.

When worries eclipse serving, we are in danger of losing the better part. Listening to Jesus’ word moves us to serve. Christianity asserts that why we serve makes all the difference.  It is not enough merely to do good things for people. We must always sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His Word to understand why we do good things.

Intentional disciples – and communities of intentional disciples that are families and parishes – are inspired by Jesus’ Word which leads them to action.

Read together as they must, Luke’s account of the Good Samaritan along with the very next Gospel episode of Jesus visiting Martha and Mary, teach us that that mature followers of Christ are both listeners and doers.