16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

Luke 10:38-42

"'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.’” (Luke 10:41)

Every time I reflect on this Gospel passage, I see myself in Martha—focused on making sure everything is just right. I’m naturally a planner, but I can forget to simply be present and trust that everything will be accomplished.

When Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things,” He isn’t shaming her. He isn’t criticizing the good she’s doing by serving Him. Rather, He sees her fully: a woman eager to love well, to make others feel cared for, perhaps even a perfectionist. Jesus names her anxiety to lovingly call her closer. In highlighting Mary’s choice to sit and listen, Jesus isn’t dismissing Martha’s efforts.

He’s redirecting her focus.

It’s not easy to have our anxieties or shortcomings pointed out—especially when we’re doing our best. But moments of correction require humility. We must be willing to acknowledge that we are imperfect. Accepting gentle correction can lead us to growth, and deeper trust in God.

This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts and motivations. Are we busy out of love, or out of pressure of falling short? Jesus reminds us that even the most well-intentioned work can become a source of anxiety when we lose sight of its meaning in the process.

As I make my last minute preparations for my wedding in just two weeks, I still see myself in Martha. I want everything to go smoothly, to make sure every detail is cared for, and to ensure people enjoy their time. But Jesus is gently reminding me to let the joy and meaning of the moment rise above everything else. To make space not just for the beauty of the event, but for the beauty of his presence in it.

Jesus’ words to Martha are an invitation: to find balance between doing and being, serving and receiving. In the midst of our to-do lists, He reminds us that the one thing necessary is not perfection, but presence.