Priorities and Presence (Mary and Martha Luke 10: 38-42)

Food preparation is not really a strength of mine, but I love having people over for a meal, which usually means take-away or the simplest possible option. I think that’s why I connect to this story: Jesus affirming that being present and listening is more important than prioritising food preparation, well that’s my take on it! 

However, Martha deserves grace. Jesus turns up with the ‘team’ and in that culture hospitality was the women’s responsibility. It’s obvious from the communication between Martha and Jesus that they had a close relationship. Jesus doesn’t dismiss her service but highlights Mary’s choice to be still and listen as a better one.  

So, what is this story prompting me to reflect on: What matters more, what I do or how I be? Both are needed but perhaps being present and listening needs to come first, to be a priority. In the complexity of our lives, our work, our world, no amount of doing will fix complex challenges, but learning how to listen deeply with our hearts and not just our minds can help.  

That starts with listening inwardly: What am I bringing into this moment emotionally and mentally? How do I show up for others—colleagues, friends, community? Do I make time to truly listen, beyond a ‘fixing’ stance? How do I listen with compassion? Most importantly, how do I listen to God with my whole self, to be still and open? Is this even a priority for me?  

Jesus modelled this way of being beautifully. He listened deeply to those society ignored, in his daily life, going fishing, walking in the community, at dinner, at parties, in places ‘respectable’ people didn’t go. He also regularly withdrew to quiet places to reflect and pray. He balanced doing with being, and his time with God shaped how he showed up in the world. 

So, I ask myself: 

• Am I moving slowly enough to notice the needs around me? 
• Do I make time to listen—to my own heart, to others, and to God? 
• How do my biases and distractions shape who I listen to? 

At this time of the year when we have one foot in 2025 dealing with all the end of year events the unexpected challenges, heightened emotions and exhaustion, and the other foot in 2026 planning for next year, what are our priorities? It may seem crazy or impossible but prioritising dedicated time to be still, to be present and to listen deeply, can reshape what we do and why. It can make a significant difference to how we show up to these challenges, as it enables us to rely on God’s strength, wisdom and love rather than our own.  

Prayer: God of peace, help me slow down. Teach me to listen deeply—to You, to others, and to my own heart. May my doing flow from being present with You. Amen. 

Pause & Practice: Take five minutes now to be still. Breathe. Ask God: “What are You inviting me to hear today?”