Shorelines of the Spirit

One Thing Only Today's Gospel passage from Luke,  on this Tuesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time,  is the famous story of Martha and Mary.   Many different "takes" on this story have evolved over the centuries, but it often strikes me that Martha takes a beating in many interpretations. It's sometimes assumed that Jesus is telling her that she has made an inferior choice in how to deal with him as a guest -- she's preparing a meal and therefore carrying out the details of hospitality, while her sister Mary is sitting at the Lord's feet, listening to him and enriching her discipleship by imbibing his teachings.  Jesus' comment that Mary has chosen the better part has invited a lot of criticism, however gentle, of Martha.  It's also created comparisons of Christian lifestyles to the detriment of those whose lives are necessarily busy with family obligations,  with work responsibilties, even with Church ministries. No doubt writers will be cheer