Today, the beautiful story of Martha and Mary reminds us that we are a people of both prayer and action. Following the story of the Good Samaritan, we hear that Martha like Sarah in the first reading, is busy with all the details of hospitality. Mary, however, is sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to his every word. This beautiful story is followed by Jesus teaching his disciples to pray. Both Martha and Mary are correct. We are both people of action and of prayer.
 
Our action is informed by our prayer, the sacred conversations we have with the Lord. Our prayer is likewise informed by our service to the Lord and others. The challenge of Martha is knowing to take time from our action to listen to our Lord as he speaks to us in prayer. Prayer is a two way conversation and today we are reminded that we need to quiet ourselves at times to hear what the Lord is saying. In our world of many voices, the Lord’s voice is the voice we need to hear the most. The challenge of Mary, then, is to take what God places on our hearts and put it into action. Our prayer is that God’s will be done and that the Kingdom of God come. Do we act with that firm purpose in mind?
 
We may discover that we are more Mary at times and more Martha at times, but Jesus calls us to a sacred balance of both. We are faithful people of action and prayer. As Sarah and Abraham carried out all the tasks of generous hospitality, they also listened to the Lord and had the blessing of a son in their old age. Listening and service, prayer and hospitality are still the source of miracles today.