Martha opens her home to Jesus and then nearly misses Him in it, pulled apart by all the preparations, while Mary sits at His feet and listens.

Martha, Martha, He says, with an ache and a smile in it, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed, or indeed only one. Today, choose the better part first, and let the reading itself be your seat at His feet.

Martha's problem was not the serving; hospitality is holy work, and somebody had to make dinner. Her problem was distraction, the many things crowding out the One thing, worry doing the hosting instead of love. Mary chose presence first, and Jesus refused to let anyone take it from her.

Then He taught them to pray, which is how the better part becomes a habit: Father first, kingdom next, today's bread, today's mercy. Sit before you serve today. Say the prayer He gave, slowly. The Father is more eager to give the Spirit than you are to ask, and the one needed thing is never out of stock.