Choose the Good Portion

This scene, which contrasts two sisters in relationship to Jesus, is easily misinterpreted. Jesus is not saying that active physical service is bad and passive spiritual contemplation is good; both of them are. He’s not saying that Mary is a special exception to the general rule that women belong in the kitchen; both men and women do. And he’s not saying that the only thing women should do is listen; just like men, they should both apply and share their theology. The “one thing necessary,” the “good portion that will not be taken away” is Jesus himself. Whether serving or studying, suffering or singing, our perpetual challenge is not to miss Jesus. When we keep him in view, it changes everything else we do.