Hospitality & Prayer (Martha and Mary)

There is always a tension between Doing and Being Between Martha and Mary. Like Donny and Marie (There I am dating myself!) we are each a little bit of Marth and a little bit of Mary. The question is - which ought we to work on developing? 
Our world suggests everything about doing - capitalism values our productivity, our efficiency, our DOING. Jesus says that Mary has chosen the better part. Foucusing on our BEING may not appear to reward us in this life - yet it will help us now by keeping us focused on Eternal Life.

A Poem about Martha and Mary

Lord of all pots and pans and things, since I’ve no time to be
A saint by doing lovely things, or watching late with Thee,
Or dreaming in the dawn-light, or storming Heaven’s gates,
Make me a saint by getting meals and washing up the plates.

Although I must have Martha’s hands, I have a Mary mind,
And when I black the boots and shoes, Thy sandals, Lord, I find.
I think of how they trod the earth, what time I scrub the floor:
Accept this meditation, Lord, I haven’t time for more.

Warm all the kitchen with Thy love, and light it with Thy peace;
Forgive me all my worrying, and make my grumbling cease.
Thou who didst love to give men food, in room or by the sea,
Accept this service that I do — I do it unto Thee.

—Cecily Rosemary Hallack (1898-1938)