The question that occurs to me with this gospel is - what prevented Martha from asking her sister Mary directly for help? Furthermore, what was the history of the relationship between the sisters and indeed also with Lazarus their brother? Where was Lazarus in this moment and, if he was present, why would Martha not speak to him first? My opinion is that Martha was looking to vindicate herself, just as we heard about with the lawyer last Sunday, in the presence of Jesus. On occasions I have had people in the sacrament of reconciliation who were intent on naming the sins of everyone else rather than addressing their own failings! There is no doubt that Martha is someone who wanted to please the Lord and was doing a good thing in providing hospitality for him. The response of Jesus indicates however that actions pleasing to God flow from first of all listening to his Word. This is the better part because the words of God are "spirit and life." (Jn 6: 63) If I am stuck in my grievance and/or self-righteousness I may be unwittingly acting as an obstacle to God's Word. Not that I can frustrate it since: "... it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it" (Is 55: 11), but I will frustrate myself, as Martha did.
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