St. Martha questioned whether Jesus was concerned about her situation (Lk 10:40). She also felt “all alone” (Lk 10:40). Next, she felt compelled to order Jesus to order her sister, St. Mary, to help her (Lk 10:40). Martha was wrong on all counts. Jesus did care about every aspect of her life (see 1 Pt 5:7). He loved her very much (Jn 11:5) and would give His life for her. Secondly, although Martha did not have the kitchen help she wanted, she had Jesus, Who is God and Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), as her dinner Guest. This is hardly being “all alone.” Finally, when Martha gave an order to her Lord, she contradicted the very meaning of the word, “Lord.”  A lord gives orders rather than receives them.

Why was Martha so wrong about the Lord and His love? Unlike her sister Mary, she had not “seated herself at the Lord’s feet and listened to His words” (Lk 10:39). When we practice the disciplines of a disciple, when we listen, pray, and obey, we will know God cares, that we are not alone, and that He alone is Lord. Therefore, sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His words.

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 4, 2023"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.