From the mind of Martha

Monday—

I was getting a loaf of bread ready when Mary came running into the kitchen.

"What is it, Mary?" I asked patiently, adding leavening to the dough.

"Jesus is coming! Brush off your dress a little and get that flour off of your hands!"

"When is he coming?" I asked, hoping I would have time to get the bread in the oven and have it ready in time.

"Ten minutes," Mary said casually.

"Ten—Mary!" I exclaimed. "There's nothing ready! I always like to have food for our guests! Go draw some water. I'll have to try to think of something…"

I looked on the shelves in a recess in the wall that served as a pantry. There was some rice and a good amount of lentils, as well as dried figs, raisins, honey and spices. Good, I thought, I will make pottage and Mary can stir honey into bowls of raisins and dates. I hurriedly finished the loaf of bread, put it in the stone oven to bake, and started boiling water for the pottage.

"—really? I didn't know that. I never thought of the creation story like that."

I stood still when I heard my sister's voice come from the other room. Mary knew that I was trying to get food ready, and was just talking to Jesus like that? I poured the rice and beans and spices into the now boiling water and hurried out of the kitchen.

"Good afternoon, Jesus! I hope you are doing well. Mary, you'll get into the kitchen now if you know what's good for you! I'm trying to get food ready for our guest!"

Jesus looked at me for a moment gently chided me.

"Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.*"

I threw up my hands in frustration. Mary grinned at me, but it was a friendly, teasing grin.

"Hey, when we were children, you were always competing with me. Everyone in the village said that you were the sweetest, holiest little girl. Well, it's my turn now!"

I couldn't help laughing, and Jesus joined in. We laughed until we were gasping and my bad mood disappeared. Well, I'm not afraid to admit that I was being a little ridiculous. It was probably better to sit and talk and laugh with a guest than to frantically try to cook up some food in the kitchen, away from the guest. Well, there was the pottage, anyway—oh, no! The pottage! I dashed into the kitchen.

Luckily, I had saved the pottage from cooking too long. I stirred another pinch of spices and spooned the good soup into three stone bowls, and I managed to carry all three—plus spoons—to where Mary and Jesus were sitting.

"I did manage to make some pottage," I said. "I hope both of you will enjoy it."

"Or else," Mary said, emulating my voice, and all three of us laughed.

xXx

*Luke 10: 38-42