The One Thing Necessary

The One Thing Necessary

Reflection on Luke 10:38–42

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Gospel Passage:

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
— Luke 10:41–42

Today’s Gospel presents us with a scene from the home of Martha and Mary—two sisters, both close friends of Jesus, yet each responding to His presence in a very different way.

Martha welcomes Jesus into their home and immediately sets about serving Him. Her actions are generous and well-meaning. She is doing something good—something important even. But soon, the Gospel tells us, she becomes "burdened with much serving." She grows frustrated, not just with the workload, but with her sister Mary, who sits quietly at Jesus’ feet, simply listening to Him.

When Martha finally complains, Jesus responds with gentleness, but also with clarity:

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.”

Mary had chosen that one thing—to be in the presence of Jesus, to listen to His Word, to rest at His feet.

This Gospel challenges us deeply, especially in a world that often glorifies busyness and productivity. Like Martha, many of us are constantly doing: working, planning, helping, fixing, and serving. Even in our spiritual lives, we can fall into the trap of measuring our faith by how much we do for God—yet forgetting to simply be with God.

Jesus isn’t saying that Martha’s work is wrong. Service is good. Hospitality is holy. But when our service becomes anxious, distracted, or disconnected from God, it loses its grounding. The problem isn't Martha’s action, but her anxiety—her lack of interior peace.

Mary, in contrast, models discipleship in its purest form. She is still. She is receptive. She listens. She recognizes the gift of the moment: the Lord is here. And nothing else takes precedence.

What does this mean for us?

It means that prayer, silence, and being present to God are not optional luxuries in the Christian life. They are essential. They are the one thing necessary. Without that interior foundation, even our best efforts can become exhausting and empty.

We are invited today to reevaluate our priorities. Do we make time each day to sit at the feet of Jesus—in Scripture, in the Mass, in quiet prayer? Or are we rushing from task to task, forgetting Who it is we serve?

Jesus invites us into His presence—not just to work for Him, but to walk with Him. Before we serve, we must first receive. Before we speak, we must listen.

Like Mary, let us choose the better part.

Key Takeaway:

Before all else, the Christian life begins with being—being with Jesus, listening to Him, receiving His love. From that stillness flows the strength to serve. Make time for the one thing necessary.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus,
In the noise and busyness of our lives, help us not to lose sight of what matters most—You. Teach us to quiet our hearts, to sit at Your feet, and to listen. May we learn from Mary’s example to choose the better part each day.
Strengthen us to serve like Martha, but never without the peace that comes from being rooted in Your presence.
Amen.