Parent and Family Background
This Gospel story shows Martha busy serving Jesus and the other guests. Martha’s sister Mary does not help her. Instead, Mary sits near Jesus and listens. Martha gets upset because she thinks that Mary should help her. So, Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to work. To her surprise, Jesus tells Martha not to worry about the work. It is more important to listen to Jesus and his message.
Martha and Mary
Luke 10:38-42
Jesus and his disciples were on a journey. One day, they entered a village and a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Martha had a sister named Mary. When all the guests arrived, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to him.
While Mary sat, Martha was very busy trying to serve everyone. Out of frustration, she said to Jesus, “Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the serving by myself? Tell her to help me.”
Jesus said to her in reply, “Martha, you are anxious and worried about too many things. Mary has made a good choice. She has chosen to sit and listen to me.”
Connecting to Faith First - Legacy Edition
Junior High, Morality, chapter 8
Junior High, Jesus in the New Testament, chapter 6
Connecting to Faith First®
Junior High, Liturgy and Morality, chapter 17